News and Information
Executive Director to Washington, DC
I have been requested by the Board to attend the Spring NAFIS conference. I will see many of you in Washington. I am scheduling hill visits for Tuesday, March 15, 2016.
The ASIAA meeting is Monday, March 14, 2016 at 3:30 pm in Regency D. We will organize for the hill visits if you have not set your own appointments.
NAFIS has published the Conference Notebook and the Spring 2016 Talking Points. The theme for this year’s conference is “Carry On” In FY2016, Impact Aid received $17 million increase as a result of our advocacy efforts. Note that sequestration returns in FY2018. Most importantly note that discretionary spending programs must be approved annually by Congress so we must “Carry On.”
Funding for FY2017 as presented in the President’s budget is flat, eliminating Federal Properties and maintaining basic support compared to FY2016. That means we must carry on in our advocacy efforts to strengthen the Program. Review the talking points closely with a focus on the NAFIS request for an $8 million increase in Federal Properties and $23 million for Basic Support to maintain the current LOT level.
See you Monday if not sooner!
Larry E. Wallen,
Executive Director
The ASIAA meeting is Monday, March 14, 2016 at 3:30 pm in Regency D. We will organize for the hill visits if you have not set your own appointments.
NAFIS has published the Conference Notebook and the Spring 2016 Talking Points. The theme for this year’s conference is “Carry On” In FY2016, Impact Aid received $17 million increase as a result of our advocacy efforts. Note that sequestration returns in FY2018. Most importantly note that discretionary spending programs must be approved annually by Congress so we must “Carry On.”
Funding for FY2017 as presented in the President’s budget is flat, eliminating Federal Properties and maintaining basic support compared to FY2016. That means we must carry on in our advocacy efforts to strengthen the Program. Review the talking points closely with a focus on the NAFIS request for an $8 million increase in Federal Properties and $23 million for Basic Support to maintain the current LOT level.
See you Monday if not sooner!
Larry E. Wallen,
Executive Director
ASIAA Hill Visits - March 15, 2016
I am in the final stage of scheduling hill visits for ASIAA. We would use the same format as last year, a schedule with teams assigned to meet with various members of the Arizona Congressional delegation. This allows each district to select who they want to meet with. If you are planning to attend meetings scheduled by ASIAA, please send a quick email letting me know your district, key contact, superintendent, and number of attendees.
Staying Home, But Staying Involved!!!!!
What can you do as an Impact Aid recipient to advocate for funding? Mark your calendars! On March 15, 2015 when we are walking the halls of Congress, please call your Congressman and Senators:
“ Hi, I am (NAME and office) of the XTZ school district. I know Arizona school board members Superintendents, and Business Managers are visiting your office today. We receive Impact Aid
because of loss property taxes from having a federal presence (describe - Indian Lands, Military, etc). We are asking your support of the Impact Aid program to meet the learning needs of our federally connected students. Without Impact Aid, we would have to (describe possible cuts).
Please closely with a focus on the NAFIS request for an $8 million increase in Federal Properties and $23 million for Basic Support to maintain the current LOT level.
Please join the Impact Aid House Coalition (or Senate Coalition) by contacting NAFIS at 202-264-5455. Please support NAFIS and the Arizona public and charter schools by fully funding Impact Aid. Your support is greatly
appreciated.”
Thanks.
Staying At Home, but Staying Involved!!!
“ Hi, I am (NAME and office) of the XTZ school district. I know Arizona school board members Superintendents, and Business Managers are visiting your office today. We receive Impact Aid
because of loss property taxes from having a federal presence (describe - Indian Lands, Military, etc). We are asking your support of the Impact Aid program to meet the learning needs of our federally connected students. Without Impact Aid, we would have to (describe possible cuts).
Please closely with a focus on the NAFIS request for an $8 million increase in Federal Properties and $23 million for Basic Support to maintain the current LOT level.
Please join the Impact Aid House Coalition (or Senate Coalition) by contacting NAFIS at 202-264-5455. Please support NAFIS and the Arizona public and charter schools by fully funding Impact Aid. Your support is greatly
appreciated.”
Thanks.
Staying At Home, but Staying Involved!!!
Further Reading
Make Your Hill Appointments Ahead of NAFIS Spring Conference
- NAFIS Newsletter - Feb 26, 2016
The Spring Conference is just around the corner and a key element of any successful NAFIS conference is Hill Day. Tuesday, March 15 is set aside for attendees to meet with their three Congressional representatives (two Senators and one House member) to discuss Impact Aid. Schedule your meetings as soon as possible, as this is a busy time of year. Below is some additional guidance.
Find your Members of Congress: Visit the NAFIS website (www.nafisdc.org) and click the "Contact Congress" button on the homepage. Find your Members of Congress (one member of the House of Representatives and two Senators) by typing in your zip code under "Find Officials." Each Member profile contains a wealth of information including contact information, office locations, committee assignments, etc.
Find staff assignments: Scroll to the bottom of the Member profile for staff assignments. It is common to meet with a staff member instead of the Member of Congress; they are often the experts on the issues and advise the Member of Congress how to vote on their issue area. In most cases, you will want to meet with the education staffer or the person who handles appropriations. If you wish to meet with the Member of Congress, contact the executive assistant or scheduler. If you are scheduling a large group meeting (some NAFIS school districts attend meetings together), let the staff know in advance.
Contact the staff: The telephone number for the Washington, D.C. office is included in the Member profile. You can also search for information on the Member's official website (via: www.house.gov or www.senate.gov). Ask to speak directly to the staff member you want to meet with or the scheduler. Hill staff are busy and may be unavailable, so be sure to leave a message and follow up. Often, email is the best way to get in contact with Hill staff. The House and Senate use two different email formats for their employees. Generally, the format is as follows:
House emails: Firstname.lastname@mail.house.gov
Senate emails: Firstname_lastname@membersname.senate.gov
What to say/When to Schedule the Meeting: When you call the office or email your staff contact, highlight the relationship you have with the Congressional District or State and tell them the purpose of your visit is to discuss the Impact Aid Program.
Schedule the meeting for Tuesday, March 15.
Need Help? Contact Jocelyn Bissonnette: Jocelyn@nafisdc.org or 202-624-5455.
U.S. Department of Education Posts FAQ
Today, the U.S. Department of Education posted a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) webpage.
The Department has prepared these FAQs to support States and LEAs in understanding expectations during the transition to full implementation of the ESSA. USDOE recognizes that there are questions that are not addressed in this document; they will continue to update and add to these FAQs over the coming months.
Please check our ESSA resource webpage for FAQ updates and all other ESSA resources including guidance and regulatory information.
5 Messages Districts Can do about Prop 123
What is the lawsuit Cave Creek vs. DeWit about?
The lawsuit is about the state’s failure to adjust all components of the K-12 Base Level for inflation pursuant to A.R.S. §15-901.01, which was enacted in Proposition 301... read more at AzSBA.org.
Obama Education Dept nominee on Path to Quick Confirmation Vote
Top Senate Republicans have vowed to reject any candidate that President Obama nominates to fill Justice Antonin Scalia’s vacant Supreme Court seat — GOP leaders have even said they'll refuse to meet with the nominee... read more at USAToday.com.
Budget Deal Already Paid for the 2017 Sequestration Relief
by Joel Friedman
House conservatives are demanding that lawmakers pay for the $30 billion in sequestration relief for discretionary programs in 2017 that the President and Congress provided last year. Policymakers, however, already paid for the funding increase when they provided it, so House conservatives are effectively demanding that they pay for it twice (and, in fact, even more in later years)... read more at cbpp.org.
NDD United Town Hall Notes and Slides
Thank you to all who joined us on Wednesday for the Town Hall meeting! We had a great turnout, as well as a great discussion of fiscal year 2017 and beyond. Some of the key takeaways from the meeting... read more at www.dc-crd.com.
Expect More Arizona - How to Use the Request to Speak System
he Request to Speak system is an online tool that lets you give legislators your feedback on bills. You can use the system to show that you support or oppose a bill and provide the reason why... watch the video on Expect More Arizona.
House GOP FY17 Budget Summary
The FY2017 House Budget Resolution (Chairman Price), written at $1.070 trillion, is consistent with the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015... read more at www.dc-crd.com.
- NAFIS Newsletter - Feb 26, 2016
The Spring Conference is just around the corner and a key element of any successful NAFIS conference is Hill Day. Tuesday, March 15 is set aside for attendees to meet with their three Congressional representatives (two Senators and one House member) to discuss Impact Aid. Schedule your meetings as soon as possible, as this is a busy time of year. Below is some additional guidance.
Find your Members of Congress: Visit the NAFIS website (www.nafisdc.org) and click the "Contact Congress" button on the homepage. Find your Members of Congress (one member of the House of Representatives and two Senators) by typing in your zip code under "Find Officials." Each Member profile contains a wealth of information including contact information, office locations, committee assignments, etc.
Find staff assignments: Scroll to the bottom of the Member profile for staff assignments. It is common to meet with a staff member instead of the Member of Congress; they are often the experts on the issues and advise the Member of Congress how to vote on their issue area. In most cases, you will want to meet with the education staffer or the person who handles appropriations. If you wish to meet with the Member of Congress, contact the executive assistant or scheduler. If you are scheduling a large group meeting (some NAFIS school districts attend meetings together), let the staff know in advance.
Contact the staff: The telephone number for the Washington, D.C. office is included in the Member profile. You can also search for information on the Member's official website (via: www.house.gov or www.senate.gov). Ask to speak directly to the staff member you want to meet with or the scheduler. Hill staff are busy and may be unavailable, so be sure to leave a message and follow up. Often, email is the best way to get in contact with Hill staff. The House and Senate use two different email formats for their employees. Generally, the format is as follows:
House emails: Firstname.lastname@mail.house.gov
Senate emails: Firstname_lastname@membersname.senate.gov
What to say/When to Schedule the Meeting: When you call the office or email your staff contact, highlight the relationship you have with the Congressional District or State and tell them the purpose of your visit is to discuss the Impact Aid Program.
Schedule the meeting for Tuesday, March 15.
Need Help? Contact Jocelyn Bissonnette: Jocelyn@nafisdc.org or 202-624-5455.
U.S. Department of Education Posts FAQ
Today, the U.S. Department of Education posted a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) webpage.
The Department has prepared these FAQs to support States and LEAs in understanding expectations during the transition to full implementation of the ESSA. USDOE recognizes that there are questions that are not addressed in this document; they will continue to update and add to these FAQs over the coming months.
Please check our ESSA resource webpage for FAQ updates and all other ESSA resources including guidance and regulatory information.
5 Messages Districts Can do about Prop 123
What is the lawsuit Cave Creek vs. DeWit about?
The lawsuit is about the state’s failure to adjust all components of the K-12 Base Level for inflation pursuant to A.R.S. §15-901.01, which was enacted in Proposition 301... read more at AzSBA.org.
Obama Education Dept nominee on Path to Quick Confirmation Vote
Top Senate Republicans have vowed to reject any candidate that President Obama nominates to fill Justice Antonin Scalia’s vacant Supreme Court seat — GOP leaders have even said they'll refuse to meet with the nominee... read more at USAToday.com.
Budget Deal Already Paid for the 2017 Sequestration Relief
by Joel Friedman
House conservatives are demanding that lawmakers pay for the $30 billion in sequestration relief for discretionary programs in 2017 that the President and Congress provided last year. Policymakers, however, already paid for the funding increase when they provided it, so House conservatives are effectively demanding that they pay for it twice (and, in fact, even more in later years)... read more at cbpp.org.
NDD United Town Hall Notes and Slides
Thank you to all who joined us on Wednesday for the Town Hall meeting! We had a great turnout, as well as a great discussion of fiscal year 2017 and beyond. Some of the key takeaways from the meeting... read more at www.dc-crd.com.
Expect More Arizona - How to Use the Request to Speak System
he Request to Speak system is an online tool that lets you give legislators your feedback on bills. You can use the system to show that you support or oppose a bill and provide the reason why... watch the video on Expect More Arizona.
House GOP FY17 Budget Summary
The FY2017 House Budget Resolution (Chairman Price), written at $1.070 trillion, is consistent with the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015... read more at www.dc-crd.com.
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