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Capitol Comment
by Brock Gregg, ATPE governmental relations director
The eyes of Texas are upon Washington
An update on ATPE’s advocacy at the federal level
In mid-July, ATPE state officers and lobbyists traveled to Washington, D.C., to accompany our Washington-based governmental relations consultant to meetings with the Texas congressional delegation and U.S. Department of Education officials. Our mission was to:
- Advocate for the approval of Texas’ application for the use of federal stimulus dollars, including the use of funding for an across-the-board salary increase for many educators;
- Ensure that Texas educators have input in the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), formerly known as No Child Left Behind, and ask officials to recognize Texas’ status as a right-to-work state by allowing districts to make decisions collaboratively when implementing federal programs;
- Urge that any process for setting national education standards produce a voluntary model, not a mandate to adopt a national curriculum, testing or teacher certification standards; and
- Support the Social Security Fairness Act and the Public Servant Retirement Protection Act as ways to mitigate the effects of Social Security offset laws on Texas educators.
We must keep in mind the context in which we delivered these messages. Federal dollars took on an unprecedented role during the 2009 legislative session. Thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)—aka stimulus funding—and deft legislative maneuvering, the session ended with a salary increase for many educators and an increase in Title I funding for school districts. Remember that when the Legislature received word of ARRA funding, lawmakers were reviewing reports indicating the state budget had a deficit of $4 billion.
Meanwhile, Texas’ stimulus spending plan, which includes the salary increase, tested the flexibility gap between the federal government and states. According to guidelines issued by the federal government, stimulus dollars were not intended to supplant state funding, but the Education Department announced July 24 that the Texas plan to provide additional funding to school districts using federal stimulus money complied with the guidelines and had been approved.
We’ll be there, all the livelong day
The joust and parry regarding stimulus funding is a preview of the next wave of education policy. Will states like Texas, a leader in reform initiatives, be allowed flexibility to create and implement their own programs? Texas has already adopted the reforms (e.g., college readiness standards, end-of-course exams, etc.) identified by the Obama administration as necessary for sustained federal funding. In expressing support for Texas’ stimulus spending plan, ATPE lobbyists held up the plan as a good example of a way the administration can recognize a state’s unique needs and allow flexibility in federal programs.
Education will likely follow health care on the agenda. As work begins, our team, including Washington-based lobbyist David Pore of Arnold and Porter LLP, will be on the ground to ensure ATPE’s Texas-based, member-driven input is heard. The Texas congressional delegation—if lawmakers listen to Texas educators and stick together—has the leverage to protect and enhance the Texas public education system as well as the ability to maintain quality programs at the local level.
You play an integral role in ATPE’s federal advocacy. As a member of the ATPE Legislative Alert Network (LAN), you can make sure lawmakers hear your individual voice. Please respond to LAN alerts regarding Congress just like you respond to alerts about the Legislature.
Let your senator and representative know how your education experience can help them. Once you establish introductory contact, it will be easier to suggest how they can advance your students’ goals, your professional association’s positions and the Texas public education system. All things are possible with collaborative relationships.
The eyes of Texas are now on Washington; let’s not let decisions made elsewhere hinder our efforts to ensure that every Texas student receives an exemplary education.
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