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Federal Budget and Appropriations Update
 Earlier this month, President Trump released a Blueprint for Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) Federal Spending. Being called a ‘skinny budget,’ this document outlines a wish-list of spending requests for Congress. A full budget proposal detailing specific funding levels is expected to be released in May.
Some highlights of the current proposal include increases to military spending by $54 billion; equal decreases in discretionary programs; the complete elimination of 19 agencies including the Corporation for National and Community Service, which AmeriCorps and the Social Innovation Fund fall under; a 14% decrease in funding to the Department of Education; a 21% cut to the Department of Labor; and an 18% reduction in Health and Human Services Funding.
These cuts to discretionary spending were identified to address a desired increase in the defense budget but Administration officials also argued that many of the programs suggested for elimination or reductions were done so because they are poorly performing or did not have data to support their impact.
While it is important to remember that a President’s budget cannot be enacted into law and that this document, as written, will more than likely not get any votes in the House or Senate, it is an important messaging document for how the Administration views the role of the federal government and the resources needed to achieve the goals of federal agencies. Ultimately, Congress has the final word on funding levels and it is just beginning the FY18 appropriations process.
At the same time as the FY18 appropriations process is beginning, Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) is still underway. The timing of action on FY17 spending is critical for many in national service, education, and other program areas. There are real implications for continuing to engage in short-term legislative action, or of the potential cuts that may be made at this point in the funding cycle to programs and organizations.
America Forward is deeply engaged in the FY17 and FY18 appropriations process. We are working with our Coalition and Network members to share our collective funding priorities with key Congressional appropriators. We are also kicking off our Evidence in Action blog series in April, highlighting the results-driven solutions our community has to our country’s most pressing social problems and the evidence-based federal programs that are critical to scaling the impact of this work. Please follow us on Twitter for updates on these efforts. Additionally, if you are interested in engaging in this work, please contact Nicole Truhe.
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ESSA Implementation
 This month, the President signed four Congressional Review Acts (CRA) into law, repealing four regulations put in place by the Obama Administration. These included two Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) resolutions, H.J. Res. 58, the Teacher Preparation Rule and H.J. Res. 57, the Education Accountability Rule.
Additionally, the first deadline for states to submit their ESSA state plans is April 3rd. Seventeen states, plus the District of Columbia are planning to submit their plans for review by this deadline. The rest plan to submit their plans by September.
America Forward and its Education Task Force are ready to work with the new Administration and 115th Congress to ensure our collective K-12 policy priorities are advanced upon and implemented effectively. Contact Jessica Crawford to learn more about our collective K-12 policy work.
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Secretary of Labor Nomination
 Last month, President Trump announced Alexander Acosta as his new pick to head the Labor Department. A confirmation hearing was held on March 22nd by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. View Acosta’s testimony from the hearing here. Next, the nomination will move to the full Senate for a final vote. Follow us on Twitter for additional updates on Acosta’s nomination and contact Nicole Truhe for additional information about America Forward's Workforce Development work.
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America Forward's Collective Policy Platform Revision Process
In February, America Forward kicked off its collective policy platform revision process, working with its Workforce Development, Pay for Success, and Education Task Forces and Working Groups to update our collective policy and funding priorities. This month, we added Career and Technical Education (CTE) as a policy focus area for the Coalition, and launched our Education Task Force's CTE Working Group. The CTE Working Group is currently developing the Coalition's CTE policy platform which will outline our CTE policy priorities. If you are interested in learning more about or engaging in our collective advocacy work, please contact Jessica Crawford.
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Social Media Highlights
America Forward works to amplify the inspiring work of America Forward’s Coalition organizations through the virtual pages of this America Forward Insider newsletter, the America Forward website, and our Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, and YouTube platforms. Please follow us for the latest America Forward and Coalition Member news and updates.
Additionally, check out our this month's Twitter round-up to see what America Forward and the America Forward Coalition are working on.
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