WASHINGTON, May 10, 2006—The National School Boards Association recently learned that the House may vote on its proposed FY 2007 budget resolution later this week. The NSBA is asking local board members to contact their House representative to urge them to vote against the resolution.

The House budget essentially reflects the Administration's FY 2007 budget request, which proposes the elimination of 42 programs within the U.S. Department of Education. Title I and special education would remain underfunded by approximately $18 billion next year, compared to the funding levels Congress authorized when passing the No Child Left Behind Act and the Individuals With Disabilities Improvement Act of 2004.

Your Message to Congress NSBA is urging board members to call, fax and email their representatives as soon as possible and urge them to vote “no” against passage of the House budget resolution, unless it is amended to restore at least $7 billion in funding for education, health and labor programs. The Capitol Hill Switchboard number is (202) 224-3121. Local board members can also write to their member of Congress by going to NSBA’s Web site at www.nsba.org/advocacy. Please provide to NSBA any feedback by sending it to Kathleen Branch in NSBA’s Office of Advocacy at kbranch@nsba.org or by calling (703) 838-6735.

Along with NSBA, a total of 785 organizations representing the education, healthcare and labor communities are on record opposing the House budget resolution.  In a letter to House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL), the organizations stated that, “While our organizations represent a wide array of domestic priorities, we are united in our effort to advance the bipartisan goal of adding $7 billion in discretionary funding for health, education, labor enforcement, job training and social services programs as the budget process moves forward. On behalf of our millions of constituents, we strongly urge you to provide at least $7 billion in additional federal support to restore funding levels to FY 2005.  This is essential to sustain the well-being and prosperity of our nation.”