When the states can’t pay for schools, Just ask Congress!

With funding diminishing from the State of Michigan for schools, opportunities exist in Washington to secure federal funding. For example, the following school districts received federal funds in FY 2009:

• School District of Lancaster (PA) and Philadelphia School District each received $100,000 Project IMPACT, for abstinence education and related services.
• Troy High School (PA) received $247,000 for removal and/or replacement of non historic windows, infill, louvers, windows, and fan lights.
• The Logan Elm School District (OH) received $48,000 for water infrastructure improvements.
• The Hesperia Unified School District, Hesperia, CA, received $98,000 for an after school program for middle school students.
• The Independence School District (MO) received $347,000 for before- and after-school programs.
• The Washoe County School District (NV), received $248,000 for an online assessment and accountability instructional programs and an additional $248,000 for an English Instructional program.
• The Springfield School District (IL) received $94,000 for a middle school history experience.
• The City School District of New Rochelle (NY) received $422,000 for after school and summer school programs, faculty professional development, and parent education workshops.

These are just some examples of how schools benefited from Congressional appropriations and governmental advocacy in securing additional funds for their schools. With limited funding from the state and a declining tax base, the federal government has some funds to support Michigan’s schools.

However, to obtain funding from Congress, the local school districts need to request the funding. At times, it is not enough to ask your local member of Congress. It is important to build support for your issues and requests, meet with Congressional staff, invite your member to experience schools and perhaps even make it an educational experience for the students by involving them in the legislative process.

What's Next For Congress?

Members of Congress are planning on working through the Thanksgiving holiday in an effort to try to wrap up a number of outstanding issues, including health care and climate change legislation. However, it seems that these issues will be carried over into the next session and will remain relevant going into 2010 and the mid-term elections. Here is a look into some of the issues Congress will keep their eye in 2010:

HEALTH CARE REFORM -- Despite passage in the House, the Senate is working diligently to find a compromise. Expect this issue to continue on into February before anything is resolved.

CAP-AND-TRADE -- Again, despite passage in the House, the Senate is finding difficulty in addressing a number of issues in this bill, including pressure from manufacturing states and the potential impact on jobs.

FINANCIAL REFORM -- Banks and other financial firms are already gearing up for a the debate on financial reform. Although this issue remains a priority, it took a back seat during the health care and climate change debate, but is starting to gain traction in committee.

TAXES -- A number of tax relief measures passed in 2001 and 2003 are set to expire by the end of 2010. Expect this issue to become a polarizing issue as members of Congress prepare for the election season.

IMMIGRATION -- Another priority of the administration, this issue will have the potential to be another political issue.

STIMULUS II -- Communities are still struggling despite the influx of funds from the federal government. In an election year, Members of Congress may look to bring more immediate relief to their districts.

TRANSPORTATION -- Congress punted on addressing the expired and Transportation Equity Act for an additional 18 months. However, Congress will still hear testimony on reforming or nation's aging infrastructure and how to address its shortcomings.

FEDERAL FUNDING -- With a lack of funding from state governments, going to local governments, social service agencies and other organizations, people will be looking to Congress for financial support.

Regardless of the issues Congress considers in the coming months, it will no doubt be political as their think about their election.

Stop Looking at Lansing: Schools need to focus on support from Congress

With funding diminishing from the State of Michigan for schools, districts statewide should shift their focus to Washington.

For example, the following school districts received federal funds in FY 2009:

• School District of Lancaster (PA) and Philadelphia School District each received $100,000 Project IMPACT, for abstinence education and related services.
• Troy High School (PA) received $247,000 for removal and/or replacement of non historic windows, infill, louvers, windows, and fan lights.
• The Logan Elm School District (OH) received $48,000 for water infrastructure improvements.
• The Hesperia Unified School District, Hesperia, CA, received $98,000 for an after school program for middle school students.
• The Independence School District (MO) received $347,000 for before- and after-school programs.
• The Washoe County School District (NV), received $248,000 for an online assessment and accountability instructional programs and an additional $248,000 for an English Instructional program.
• The Springfield School District (IL) received $94,000 for a middle school history experience.
• And the City School District of New Rochelle (NY) received $422,000 for after school and summer school programs, faculty professional development, and parent education workshops.

These are just some examples of how schools benefited from Congressional appropriations and governmental advocacy in securing additional funds for their schools. With limited funding from the state and a declining tax base, the federal government has the funds available for local districts.

With very limited budgets, school districts need to be careful where they spend their resources. It may prove helpful to work through an intermediate school district or perhaps even build a regional collaboration with the county, chambers and other entities to secure federal funding.

Funding for Food Banks

With 35 million individuals either experiencing hunger or teetering right on the verge of hunger each year, the American people expect Congress to take every reasonable action possible to address food shortages, particularly here in Michigan. Last year, Congress passed a bill designed to encourage federal agencies to regularly donate surplus food to organizations that feed the hungry and each year, the providing funding to a number of organizations that help distribute food.

In addition, each year, Congress passes appropriations for food banks/pantries. The following organizations received federal appropriations in the past:

- Bay Area Food Bank. Bay Area Food Bank, which distributes food donated by grocery stores, restaurants and the like to soup kitchens and homeless shelters received $245,000 for the construction of a commercial-size kitchen (FY 2008) (Jo Bonner).

- Tucson Community Food Bank (TCFB) -- Rep. Gabrielle Giffords requested $200,000 for “solar panels” at the TCFB in the FY 2009 budget.

- Second Harvest Food Bank received $700,000 in 2007.

- In 2006, Sen. Obama requested $2,499,400 for the Food Stamp Participation Project of the Illinois Department of Human Services. The Food Stamp Participation Project is development of new technology projects, which are designed to increase the access to the food stamp program. One is designed for use by the general public and the other is a web based application designed for use in food pantries. [Obama Request Letter to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies, 3/31/06].

- For FY 2009, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) requested $368,500 for renovations at the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank

- The South Texas Food Bank will receive $136,670.48 in conjunction with the 2008 Farm Bill should it be signed into law.

Although this list is not comprehensive, you can see, federal funding is available for a wide variety of needs, including: infrastructure improvement, child nutrition programs, food stamps and childhood obesity prevention, among other things. This funding is requested directly through Congress and is unrelated to a grant.

With a lack of funding from the state, organizations such as those with food banks, should turn their attention to Washington for support.