MCAE Alert banner
 Alert #3: FY2017         
1/25/17
ALERT SUMMARY:

1.  PURVIEW:  State (not federal)

2.  LEVEL OF MOBILIZATION:  Staff, students, volunteers, friends, family, anyone who supports an increase in state funding for ABE!   
 
GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSES
$28.48 MILLION FOR ABE IN FY 2018 BUDGET
-  This afternoon, Governor Baker released his FY18 budget proposal and recommended $28,482,377 for Adult Basic Education line item #7035-0002.

-   After the Governor's 9C cuts made in December, the current FY17 funding level for ABE is $28,803,089.

-  The Governor is proposing a cut of $320,712 for ABE from its current funding level .

-  While the Governor's budget begins the state's budget process, it is non-binding and represents the Governor's spending priorities. 

-  The next step in the budget process is the release of the House Ways and Means budget in mid-April, followed by the release of the Senate Ways and Means proposed budget in May. 

-   We must contact our legislators now to tell them how important ABE is, the return on investment to the state for money spent on ABE, and the declining purchase power of the ABE line item due to inflation.  
ACTION TO TAKE NOW:  CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS TO MAKE SURE ABE IS ON THEIR BUDGET WISH LISTS FOR FY18 

  - State representatives and state senators are preparing their FY18 state budget " wish lists" now and will soon be meeting with the House and Senate leadership to advocate to get their budget priorities included in the House and Senate budgets.

-   They are hearing from other advocates, and they need to hear from all of us before they finalize their wish lists.

-   Please take 5 minutes to call your state representative and state senator now.  Some talking points are provided below for background. 

-   It's just as effective to talk to an aide if the legislator is unavailable.

-   For more information about the the importance of ABE to many of the state's public policy priorities, the return of investment on money spent on ABE, click here; for information on the declining purchasing power of ABE since FY01, click here .

-  Please remember to tell us which legislators you called and whether or not they will include ABE on their FY18 budget wish lists.
TALKING POINTS -- USE THE ONES THAT BEST FIT YOUR EXPERIENCE AND PROGRAM

-  ABE has lost more than 40% of its purchasing power since FY01.

-  More than 16,000 adults are on the waiting lists for ABE programs.

- ABE funding was only 0.40% of the state's FY16 budget for education.

- A high school credential increases earning potential, self-sufficiency, consumer spending and tax revenue.

- Gainful employment reduces the cost of unemployment benefits paid by the state.

- Education reduces recidivism and incarceration costs, crime and the number of people receiving public assistance.

- The best indicator of a child's success in school is the education level of the parents.

-  Low literacy is linked to increased mortality, hospitalization, poorer control of chronic illness, more frequent hospitalization and under use of preventative services.

-  Adults with a high school credential are more likely to vote.

-  Personalize your comments with anecdotes about students who have benefited from being enrolled in your ABE program! 

TO FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR: 

 

-   Go to www.wheredoivotema.com or call the State House switchboard at 617.722.2000.

 

QUESTIONS:

 

- For questions on this alert, contact  Roberta Soolman. 
  Thank you for your help during this budget season and always! 

 

NEXT MCAE PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING 
  
FEBRUARY 17

 

 10 a.m. to 12 noon 

 

World Education
44 Farnsworth St - 7th floor
Boston

via videoconference:
Picknelly Education Center, Holyoke, MA

 

contact  [email protected] for exact room location