Education Report for April 17, 2009

Highlights under each section of the attached report include:

1. Budget and Appropriations
-Congress is out of town for the second week of the spring recess
-When they return the focus will shift back to resolving the differences between the FY 2010 House and Senate Budget Resolutions.
-The House resolution calls for 8 billion more than the Senate, a number that might seem trivial given the total amount of spending but is significant for Republicans (and some Democrats) crying out for more fiscal responsibility.
-"budget reconciliation" is still a point of argument: Pursuing the administration's bold priorities around health care, energy and education will call for specific spending revisions that Republicans will inevitably disapprove of. Reconciliation is a maneuver that will take away the minority party's ability to filibuster.
-Conferees still expect to reach a compromise on the budget resolution next week

2. In Brief, headings include
-ED DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES STIMULUS FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION AND HOMELESS STUDENT PROGRAMS
-ACADEMY FOR EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (AED) AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAUCUS HOST BRIEFING ON CREATING A GREEN WORKFORCE
-NEW COALITION APPLAUDS ED STIMULUS GUIDANCE

Be sure to also scan sections #3 ("New Publications") and #4 ("In the News"), for articles of interest.

Pleased be advised that the bullets above only provide a rough outline and are not intended as a substitute for the short attached report from Washington Partners, which we strongly encourage you to read.