Posts in the category Advocacy
Both Congress and the state legislature have returned from their summer recess. In Michigan, the state legislature approved welfare measures limiting recipients to a 48-month lifetime cap on assistance. Education issues, including assessments and the budget reform activities of Detroit Public Schools (DPS), have been the focus of much attention statewide and around the nation. In addition, the annual Kids Count report was released. Read More »
Congress and the state legislature are both on their summer recess this week. Which is not to say we had a slow week in the Public Policy department! The state's education reforms are taking shape, and Michigan is in a unique position as the only state with two Congressional representatives on the federal deficit reduction "Supercommittee."
These developments and more are after the jump! Read More »
These developments and more are after the jump! Read More »
In the past week, Congress has reached a deal on the debt ceiling that will involve a significant reduction in federal spending in the coming years. Implications of the deal for specific programs, issues, or populations are uncertain and will take several months to pin down. However, few options are off the table.
In Michigan, the state Department of Education proposed to modify the testing requirements of No Child Left Behind. Recent changes in welfare time limits have continued to garner attention, and advocates for recipients are highlighting their negative impact on working families and children. Funding for the Low-Income Energy Efficiency Fund is at risk due to a recent court ruling.
UWSEM received the a $4 million grant from the Social Innovation Fund grant for early childhood initiatives. In addition, UWSEM’s work on Centers for Working Families and the Safety Net study were highlighted in a report by Brookings, an influential D.C. think tank. Read More »
In Michigan, the state Department of Education proposed to modify the testing requirements of No Child Left Behind. Recent changes in welfare time limits have continued to garner attention, and advocates for recipients are highlighting their negative impact on working families and children. Funding for the Low-Income Energy Efficiency Fund is at risk due to a recent court ruling.
UWSEM received the a $4 million grant from the Social Innovation Fund grant for early childhood initiatives. In addition, UWSEM’s work on Centers for Working Families and the Safety Net study were highlighted in a report by Brookings, an influential D.C. think tank. Read More »
Highlights for the past few weeks: Congress debated the budget in relation to extending the Federal Debt Ceiling, and the Michigan state Senate voted on legislation capping welfare (cash assistance) to a forty-eight month lifetime limit, resulting in the loss of benefits for about 12,000 families.
The state legislative chambers has only met a couple times this month, and politics at the federal level is consumed with deficit debate. Still, there's plenty of interesting stuff to share about Education, Income, and Basic Needs. Read More »
The state legislative chambers has only met a couple times this month, and politics at the federal level is consumed with deficit debate. Still, there's plenty of interesting stuff to share about Education, Income, and Basic Needs. Read More »
Last week marked the first week of the state legislature’s summer recess. Legislative activity at the federal level remained focused on the budget. Still, several current events are relevant to the state of Education, Income, and Basic Needs in our community.
Another exciting development in the region is that the first details about a new partnership between Detroit and the federal government have begun to emerge. Detroit News reports that nonprofits will be expected to play a large role. Read More »
Another exciting development in the region is that the first details about a new partnership between Detroit and the federal government have begun to emerge. Detroit News reports that nonprofits will be expected to play a large role. Read More »
Last week involved a whirlwind of activity in state and federal politics. Check out the summary after the jump!
Recent news and legislation regarding Education, Income, and Basic Needs in Southeastern Michigan. Don't forget to share your opinions in the comments! Read More »
The U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies had a hearing on the proposed FY2012 appropriations for programs under its jurisdiction. Congress also considered several proposals regarding early childhood and ESEA.
In Michigan, a package of bills changing teacher tenure passed in the State House and now moves to the Senate. Discussions began around major changes to Bridge cards and the Food Assistance Program.
A UWSEM team attended last week’s Mackinac Policy conference in order to move UWSEM’s agenda forward in the state. Governor Snyder’s address to the conference highlighted UWSEM’s partnerships as a model for the entire state. Also at the conference, a panel of leaders from SEM convened to discuss the need to support Detroit’s success, and partnerships within the region.
And more, after the jump! Read More »
In Michigan, a package of bills changing teacher tenure passed in the State House and now moves to the Senate. Discussions began around major changes to Bridge cards and the Food Assistance Program.
A UWSEM team attended last week’s Mackinac Policy conference in order to move UWSEM’s agenda forward in the state. Governor Snyder’s address to the conference highlighted UWSEM’s partnerships as a model for the entire state. Also at the conference, a panel of leaders from SEM convened to discuss the need to support Detroit’s success, and partnerships within the region.
And more, after the jump! Read More »
This week was a slow one, due to the U.S. Senate being in recess and the state legislature in Mackinac. However, we found plenty to keep an eye on.
The U.S. House passed their version of the DHS appropriations bill. One of the line items is the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, a major source of funds for soup kitchens and food pantries here in Southeastern Michigan, Coming soon to the House floor is the Agriculture appropriations bill, which determines funding levels for most nutrition programs.
Also of note is the formations of a southeastern Michigan legislative caucus, consisting of over 40 state legislators. Read More »
The U.S. House passed their version of the DHS appropriations bill. One of the line items is the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, a major source of funds for soup kitchens and food pantries here in Southeastern Michigan, Coming soon to the House floor is the Agriculture appropriations bill, which determines funding levels for most nutrition programs.
Also of note is the formations of a southeastern Michigan legislative caucus, consisting of over 40 state legislators. Read More »
The state legislature has completed approval of the FY2012 budget, marking the earliest conclusion of the budget process in the last 30 years. The past two weeks saw major changes to the School Aid budget, as well as other changes in programs related to Basic Needs.
In Congress, the House Appropriations Committee has taken action on both the DHS budget, which covers EFSP, and the Agriculture budget, which covers most nutrition assistance programs.
Restructuring the mortgage financing sector has been a big issue in Congress this week. Committees are exploring numerous proposals to restructure or abolish the Federal Housing Administration, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the National Housing Trust Fund. Read More »
In Congress, the House Appropriations Committee has taken action on both the DHS budget, which covers EFSP, and the Agriculture budget, which covers most nutrition assistance programs.
Restructuring the mortgage financing sector has been a big issue in Congress this week. Committees are exploring numerous proposals to restructure or abolish the Federal Housing Administration, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the National Housing Trust Fund. Read More »
Last week, Congress continued to take preliminary steps to craft the FY2012 budget. Before leaving for recess last week, the House set total budget amounts for each subcommittee to appropriate. Most federal departments that conduct Agenda for Change-related work face large cuts (between 12 and 14 percent) over last year.
The Senate announced that they will further postpone releasing a budget proposal to counter Rep Paul Ryan’s budget resolution, which was passed by the House. Recent concerns about the country’s debt burden are placing greater pressure on legislators to make cuts to programs, instead of continue deficit spending.
State government leaders in the Senate, House, and Governor’s office, reached a deal education spending in the state budget. The deal included an additional $310 million for K-12 funding. This agreement came after legislators received news that projected revenues for FY2012 are higher than originally estimated, generating a surplus of close to $500 million. The state is expected to pass the budget by the end of the month. Read More »
The Senate announced that they will further postpone releasing a budget proposal to counter Rep Paul Ryan’s budget resolution, which was passed by the House. Recent concerns about the country’s debt burden are placing greater pressure on legislators to make cuts to programs, instead of continue deficit spending.
State government leaders in the Senate, House, and Governor’s office, reached a deal education spending in the state budget. The deal included an additional $310 million for K-12 funding. This agreement came after legislators received news that projected revenues for FY2012 are higher than originally estimated, generating a surplus of close to $500 million. The state is expected to pass the budget by the end of the month. Read More »
Both the state House and Senate have passed separate versions of the state budget as of last week. Differences between the House and Senate versions of the bills will be resolved in a joint committee consisting of House and Senate members.
Both chambers approved a revenue (tax) proposal that dramatically changes Michigan’s tax structure, and preserves the EITC but at a reduced rate. The Governor is expected to sign the legislation into law.
Although the final votes involved protracted debate and negotiation, the content of the appropriations bills remained largely unchanged from the Committee proposals, which I outlined in my last budget update. However, there are a coupl recent changes that would have an impact on UWSEM's Agenda for Change, and may affect the work of UWSEM and partner agencies. Here are the highlights: Read More »
Both chambers approved a revenue (tax) proposal that dramatically changes Michigan’s tax structure, and preserves the EITC but at a reduced rate. The Governor is expected to sign the legislation into law.
Although the final votes involved protracted debate and negotiation, the content of the appropriations bills remained largely unchanged from the Committee proposals, which I outlined in my last budget update. However, there are a coupl recent changes that would have an impact on UWSEM's Agenda for Change, and may affect the work of UWSEM and partner agencies. Here are the highlights: Read More »
In the past two weeks, activity in the state legislature remained focused on the state budget. The House and Senate have both passed budget bills that differ somewhat in content and markedly in structure. These differences will be resolved in a committee consisting of members of both chambers.
The state House also took steps toward limiting receipt of TANF (cash welfare) to 48 months, and began considering major changes in teacher tenure.
In Congress, the House of Representatives began preliminary steps to construct a budget for FY 2012. Hearings were held on issues relating to job training, unemployment insurance, and the budget for the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). Read More »
The state House also took steps toward limiting receipt of TANF (cash welfare) to 48 months, and began considering major changes in teacher tenure.
In Congress, the House of Representatives began preliminary steps to construct a budget for FY 2012. Hearings were held on issues relating to job training, unemployment insurance, and the budget for the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). Read More »
As the Michigan legislature debates on budget proposals for the upcoming fiscal year, we're keeping close watch on those proposals or changes that will affect Education, Income, and Basic Needs. We're sure you are too - but as these bills move quickly through the process, it can be difficult to keep up.
Below is a summary of proposed changes from last year's budget. Budget items that remain unchanged, or that do not apply to Education, Income, and Basic Needs, are not recorded. We also have a recap of the tax system overhaul that is currently moving through the legislative process.
Please note that, at this point, these are only proposals. These bills are subject to change during the approval process.
Read More »
Below is a summary of proposed changes from last year's budget. Budget items that remain unchanged, or that do not apply to Education, Income, and Basic Needs, are not recorded. We also have a recap of the tax system overhaul that is currently moving through the legislative process.
Please note that, at this point, these are only proposals. These bills are subject to change during the approval process.
Read More »
This week, activity in the state legislature centered on finalizing the FY2012 budget and revenue plans. Other relevant activities include hearings regarding teacher strikes and the Family Independence Program.
Because Congress has not been in session for the past two weeks, there are no updates at the federal level. Congress will resume sessions in the first week of May. Read More »
Because Congress has not been in session for the past two weeks, there are no updates at the federal level. Congress will resume sessions in the first week of May. Read More »
50 million Americans - a record high - struggled with food insecurity in 2009. That number includes 17 million children. Read More »
Did you know that your Congressional delegates will be in their home districts this week? Even though that means I won't have much to report on in next week's blog post, it's an exciting time for you! This week, your U.S. Representative and Senators are focusing on hearing what you think about their work. So go to www.house.gov or www.senate.gov, find your Representative or Senator, and see how you can make your opinions heard!
Check out the list below for the most recent bills introduced in Education, Income, and Basic Needs. Read More »
Check out the list below for the most recent bills introduced in Education, Income, and Basic Needs. Read More »
Happy Monday! Here's a recap of the activity in the state House and Senate last week that relates to Education, Income, and Basic Needs. Read More »
Budget hearings and negotiations are still center stage in Washington. Nevertheless, some new bills were introduced this week that deal directly with Education, Income, and Basic Needs. While we in Southeastern Michigan anxiously await some final decisions on federal funding for 2011, I'm also watching these bills closely. Read More »
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