United Way for Southeastern Michigan

As a public policy associate at the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, I'm always on the lookout for policies proposed in Lansing and Washington, DC that relate to our Impact Areas - Education, Income, and Basic Needs. I'll be updating weekly about the bills that I'm following right now.


Of course, everyone's talking about budgets these days. We know that budget decisions will have huge impacts on our goals for the region. But since budget proposals change frequently, that will have to be a post for another day.

Education

• U.S. House: HR 507, "Assessment Accuracy and Improvement Act of 2011." This would allow states to require that schools use adaptive assessments to determine student progress.


• U.S. House: HR 85, "TEACH for our Future Act of 2011." This would make public school teachers eligible for loan forgiveness programs.


• U.S. House: HR 35, "Teacher Tax Reduction Act of 2011." This would make more of teachers' out-of-pocket educational expenses tax deductible.


• U.S. House: HR 161. Would allow Head Start teachers the same tax deduction for school supplies that elementary and secondary school teachers are currently allowed.


• U.S. Senate: S 280, "No Child Left Behind Flexibility and Improvements Act."Allows states more options to measure Adequate Yearly Progress and other requirements related to NCLB.


• U.S. Senate: S 294, "Foundations for Success Act of 2011." Authorizes grants to states to support enhanced early care and education systems for children 0-5.


• U.S. Senate: S 426, "Developing Innovative Partnerships and Learning Opportunities that Motivate Achievement Act". Authorizes grants to local education agencies and community partners to support the development and achievement of disadvantaged youth.


• U.S. Senate: S 470. This would establish an Early Learning Challenge Fund to support states in strengthening high-quality early learning programs.


• U.S. Senate: S 92, "21st Century Charter School Act." Would make program grants available to a wider variety of public and private nonprofits, and authorizes the use of subgrants to plan, implement, or expand charter schools.


• U.S. Senate: S 154, "Fast Track to College Act of 2011." Authorizes competitive matching grants to support dual enrollment programs.

Income

• U.S. House: H.R. 300, "Young Adults Financial Literacy Act." Awards grants to support research and development of practices to promote financial literacy among the 15-24 age group.


• U.S. Senate: S 117, "Moving to Work Charter Program Act of 2011." This would authorize a charter program that would allow public housing agencies to more effectively serve very low-income families.


• U.S. Senate: S 170, "Helping Responsible Homeowners Act." This would direct Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to refinance single-family hosing mortgages, provided that the mortgagor is current on payments due.


• U.S. Senate: S 317, "Affordable Housing Preservation and Revitalization Act of 2011." This would allow for use of existing Section 8 funds to preserve or revitalize affordable housing for low-income individuals.


• U.S. Senate: S 460, "Education for All Act of 2011." This would prohibit the Secretary of Education from enforcing regulations regarding gainful employment (these regulations affect the determination as to whether a postsecondary educational program provides training that leads to gainful employment in a recognized occupation, which is required if the program is to receive federal aid.)

Basic Needs

• U.S. House: HR 350, "Anti Hunger Empowerment Act of 2011." This would adjust the way state administration of the SNAP program is funded, and would create "Beyond the Soup Kitchen" grants to anti-hunger organizations in certain communities.


• U.S. House: HR 207, "School Food Recovery Act of 2011" This would allow schools to donate excess food from the school lunch program to food banks, soup kitchens, or other charitable organizations.


• U.S. House: HR 149-50. These bills would lower income taxes for recipients of Social Security benefits.


• U.S. House: HR 32, "Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2011." This bill would expand the definition of a homeless child, youth, or family.

Have an opinion on any of the bills above? Leave me a comment!

*Please note that inclusion on the above list does not imply UWSEM support for a particular bill or policy. This list is for informative purposes only.