News Article

TASP: COE Needs TASPs Help - Senate Appropriators to Take Action This Thursday!
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

Dear TRIO Colleagues:

COE is writing to us as TASPians because our Senator sits on the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee ("Senate Subcommittee"). As we expect the Senate Subcommittee to take action on the FY 2011 appropriations bill this week, which will fund TRIO in the coming year, we ask that you take action to help build upon the work of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee in the House of Representatives ("House Subcommittee").

Last Thursday evening, the House Subcommittee "marked up" its FY 2011 appropriations bill. Although the official numbers are not yet released, it is our understanding that the House Subcommittee appropriated $878.7 million for TRIO in FY 2011. This represents a 3% increase of $25.6 million. (We do not yet have confirmation on the Subcommittee's appropriation for GEAR UP, although the rumored figure ranges from flat-funding to a 3-4% increase.)

As the Senate Subcommittee will act sometime this week, we ask TASPians - along with other TRIO staff, students, parents, alumni, and supporters - to send an e-mail to your Senator using the following weblink: http://www.congressweb.com/cweb2/index.cfm/siteid/COE. There, you will have the option to send a pre-written message or to write one of your own. All you need to do is fill in your contact information. Talking points and other information is available on this website for your convenience.

As the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill will make its way through Congress throughout the remaining weeks of summer, it is crucial that we act now. Volume is the key to ensuring our voices are heard, so please be sure to share this information with other TRIO colleagues and supporters. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Heather Valentine (heather.valentine@coenet.us) or Kimberly Jones (kimberly.jones@coenet.us) by e-mail or phone (202-746-4878).