House is called on to follow, preserve critical funding
WASHINGTON—The National Governors Association (NGA) today released a statement regarding Senate and House consideration of FY 2019 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education and spending legislation:
“In June, governors called on Congress to preserve funding levels for critical education and workforce programs, including programs under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
Yesterday, the Senate passed a spending bill that protects and increases funding that states depend on to build a foundation for students, families and communities to live a successful life and to ensure strong state economies.
We commend Chairman Roy Blunt, Senator Patty Murray and the entire Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee for preserving many of the grant programs critical to governors, for example:
- ESSA Title I funding;
- ESSA Title II funding;
- ESSA Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants;
- 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding;
- Perkins Career and Technical Education state grants;
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act state grants;
- Apprenticeship grants for states;
- WIOA state grants;
- Preschool Development grants;
- Substance Abuse Block grant;
- State Opioid Response grants; and
- Mental Health Block grants.
As the House considers FY 2019 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education spending, governors urge Congressional members to find a way to similarly support funding for programs critical to states.
States remain unable to bridge a shortfall created by cuts to state-federal partnership programs like these that are necessary to prepare our students for the next generation of jobs and continue to fight the opioid epidemic.
We encourage the House to follow the Senate’s lead in preserving and prioritizing these programs.”