WPLLC > Partner Perspectives > Archived Issue

Partner Perspectives -
Providing regularly updated insider views into Capitol Hill, the White House and more.

Washington Partner Perspectives For February 6, 2007

Today’s questions are answered by Michelle White, a senior legislative associate at the firm.

Prior to joining Washington Partners, LLC, White worked for Senator Jeff Bingaman from New Mexico and most recently, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), where she provided policy guidance, as well as public and government relations support on a wide range of issues affecting secondary schools. In addition, White worked closely with NASSP's two student associations, the National Honor Society and the National Association of Student Councils, which reach more than one million students across the country.

President Bush submitted his FY08 budget to Congress today. What’s in it for education?

White:

For 2008, the President is requesting $56 billion in discretionary appropriations for Department of Education, the same as the 2007 level. Information put out by the Department of Education is quick to point out that discretionary appropriations for the Department have grown by $13.8 billion, or 33 percent, since fiscal year 2001.

While the budget definitely contains high and low points, two requests that hold promise include: a $1 billion increase in Title I, which the Administration has stated that the majority of the new funding is to be targeted for high school improvement; and a $500 million request for the School Improvement grant program. While not funded in the Continuing Resolution, the School Improvement grant program – designed to assist schools designated as “in need of improvement” – had received broad Congressional support in the 109th Congress.

Once again, a number of education programs are zeroed-out. That was expected. Did you find any surprises?

White:

Yes and No. Every year the President has a hit list of sorts. Programs like Dropout Prevention, Smaller Learning Communities, etc. can be expected to be zeroed out. The driving philosophy has been that SEA and LEA’s can use other pots of money to fund initiatives currently funded through smaller categorical programs. What is somewhat pleasantly surprising this year is that some programs that have been consistently on the list in year’s past, like Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) and Career and Technical Education actually received funding.

The higher education community, in particular, is pleased with the President’s Pell Grant proposal calling for a $4600 maximum grant. Will Congress enact this?

White:

Any changes in the Pell Grant maximum depend on the will of appropriators. And, while a change in Congressional leadership leaves education advocates hopeful for increased spending, it doesn’t change the fact that the federal budget is always stretched to cover domestic priorities. Having said that, most Members of Congress agree that the Pell grant award is abysmally low and does not keep pace with the cost of education. So, the long answer is, Members of Congress will want to find a way to pay for this expensive change. The short answer is, maybe.

Are we going to see a budget resolution this year? If so, when might we see it?

White:

Hard to say. Staff in both Houses and on both sides of the aisle have been scrambling over the last few weeks trying to sort out funding levels for FY07. Shifting gears to set FY08 will not be something that happens quickly. While Democrats have been able to push through the Continuing Resolution with a “we’re here because you didn’t finish this mess last Congress” approach so far, it is unlikely that Republicans will merely go along for the ride when looking to create a FY08 budget.

Ms. White may be emailed at mwhite@wpllc.net or reached by telephone at 202.289.3900.


Washington Partners, LLC is a full service government affairs and public relations consulting firm that has built a reputation for producing results. The partners - long-term insiders in education policy - came together in 2002 to form Washington Partners, LLC. The firm boasts a staff of strategic and innovative thinkers providing a wide array of services that are customized to meet clients' needs. By consistently exceeding client goals and expectations, the firm's client list continues to grow. The firm's website may be found at: www.wpllc.net.

"Partner Perspectives" is produced weekly by Higher Education Washington, Inc. and is available on both the Washington Partners, LLC website and under "Opinions and Interviews" in the HEWI Quad located at www.hewiquad.net. Opinions expressed in "Partner Perspectives" are those of the person interviewed and not those of Washington Partners, LLC, its clients, or of Higher Education Washington or the HEWI Quad.

"Partner Perspectives" may be reprinted upon request made to Higher Education Washington, Inc. or Washington Partners, LLC.