Whitman-Hanson Education Association – "Together We Can Make a Difference"

NEA EdAction Nov 20, 2022

November 21, 2022

Elizabeth,

Public education was a winner up and down the ballot in mid-term elections in which Democrats held the Senate and Republicans captured the House. Margins will remain historically narrow in both chambers.

In the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA) Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD), and Majority Whip James Clyburn (SC) are stepping aside for a new generation of Democratic leadership: Hakeem Jeffries (NY), Katherine Clark (MA), and Pete Aguilar (CA). Kevin McCarthy (CA), Republicans’ nominee for Speaker of the House, will need the support of nearly every member of his caucus to get the necessary 218 votes when the 118th Congress convenes on Jan. 3.

Hakeem Jeffries will be the first Black member of Congress to lead either party or chamber.

In the Senate, Chuck Schumer (NY) will remain Majority Leader and Mitch McConnell (KY) Minority Leader despite opposition from about one-fifth of his caucus.

After Thanksgiving, Congress will have a busy lame duck session with must-pass legislation that includes final FY2023 funding bills. Due to years of budget caps, education programs receive $7 billion less in annual appropriations than they received a decade ago (after adjusting for inflation), so we’re pushing for the largest possible increase.

We’re also pushing for action on other priorities for NEA members: the Respect for Marriage Act (which passed a huge procedural hurdle in the Senate this week), the enhanced Child Tax Credit that cut the child poverty rate nearly in half last year, the Electoral Count Reform Act, and more.

Email your senators and representative today!

Sincerely,

"Marc Egan" written as a signature
Marc Egan
Government Relations Director
National Education Association

Mother and son look and laugh with one another

FEATURED ACTION

Election 2022: Educators and Students Win Big

On November 8, voters chose candidates with a clear vision of how to support public schools

Take Action ➤

Group of diverse children stretch arms in the air

Invest in Public Education

The 117th Congress must finish its work with a comprehensive FY2023 funding bill that prioritizes education to ensure equal opportunity—particularly in Black, brown and rural communities.

Take Action ➤

Pass the Respect for Marriage Act

In his concurrence on the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, Justice Clarence Thomas suggested that decisions on marriage equality, contraception, and consensual relationships between LGBTQ+ people should also be overturned.

Take Action ➤

Reduce Child Poverty

Restore the enhanced Child Tax Credit that cut child poverty nearly in half last year, make it fully refundable, and provide monthly payments to help working families make ends meet.

Take Action ➤

Person holding up a your vote matters sign

Pass the Electoral Count Reform Act

This bill would ensure that the electoral votes tallied by Congress accurately reflect the people’s vote and clarify that the vice president’s role is strictly ministerial: presiding over the counting of ballots in his or her capacity as president of the Senate.

Take Action ➤

THIS WEEK’S JEERS AND CHEERS

CHEER: Republican Sens. Susan Collins (ME), Rob Portman (OH), Thom Tillis (NC), Roy Blunt (MO), Richard Burr (NC), Shelley Moore Capito (WV), Cynthia Lummis (WY), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Mitt Romney (UT), Dan Sullivan (AK), Todd Young (IN), and Joni Ernst (IA) voted with Democrats to advance the Respect for Marriage Act.

JEER: Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) introduced the No Federal Funding for Teachers’ Unions Act, which would prohibit the federal government from giving financial support to teachers’ unions because they are “corrupt.”

NEA EdAction October 2 2022

October 2, 2022

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The White House endorsed universal access to healthy, free school meals, NEA’s top priority for child nutrition, as part of its Sept. 28 conference on hunger, nutrition, and health. It was the first event of its kind at the White House in more than half a century.

NEA has long maintained that ALL students deserve healthy, nutritious school meals—both to prepare them to learn and put them on the path to success.

NEA President Becky Pringle tweeted, “By supporting and investing in universal healthy school meals for all students at no charge to them, the Biden Administration is taking a giant leap toward ending childhood hunger in America.”

At the White House conference, NEA member Cathy Grano, a school nurse from Middletown Township Public Schools in New Jersey, participated in a panel about another key element of NEA’s policy recommendations: “The Power of Play: Supporting Physical Activity for Kids.”

At the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s annual legislative conference, also held last week, NEA President Becky Pringle discussed gun violence on a panel led by Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) while Virginia Education Association President Dr. James Fedderman addressed challenges facing black students on a panel led by Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL).

The action items below include three ways you can show your support for universal access to free, healthy school meals for students. Email your members of Congress today!

In solidarity,

"Marc Egan" written as a signature
Marc Egan
Government Relations Director
National Education Association

African American teacher smiling at two students.

FEATURED ACTION

Continue Flexibility for Free School Meals

Extend the waiver that has given all students access to free school meals during the pandemic.

Take Action ➤

Invest in School Meals & the People Who Prepare Them

Renew child nutrition programs and expand free school meals in high-need schools.

Take Action ➤

Provide Healthy School Meals to All Students

Co-sponsor legislation calling for universal school meals.

Take Action ➤

$100 dollar bill rolled, topped with a cap and tassel

Secretary Cardona: Extend the Limited Public Service Loan Forgiveness Waiver

The waiver has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt relief, but it is set to expire Oct. 31 and many more educators need help.

Take Action ➤

THIS WEEK’S JEERS AND CHEERS

CHEER: To help address the teacher shortage and ensure long-term investments in teacher pipeline and development programs, the U.S. Department of Education will provide 22 three-year grants totaling more than $60 million as part of the Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) program.

JEER: Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) introduced H.R. 8961 to abolish the U.S. Department of Education.

NEA EdAction Sept 25 2022

September 25, 2022

The NEA Board of Directors came to Washington last week and went to Capitol Hill to lobby on these issues:

Education funding—Annual appropriations for education programs are $7 billion less than a decade ago (adjusted for inflation). We are urging Congress to make the largest possible increases in education funding—particularly Title I, IDEA, community schools, and career and technical education.
Student loan debt—The temporary Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) waiver has delivered more than $10 billion in loan forgiveness for 175,000 public-service workers—many times the 16,000 who received it before the waiver. But unless Congress acts, the waiver will end Oct. 31.
Child nutrition reauthorization—Urge Congress to expand access to free school meals; provide hands-on training for school food service staff during regular, paid working hours; and maintain the science-based nutrition standards in the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act.
Marriage equality—Urge senators to support the Respect for Marriage Act. Passed by the House in July, this bill would ensure that same-sex married couples enjoy the same legal recognition and protections that other married couples have.
GPO/WEP—The Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) deprive 2.5 million educators and other public servants of Social Security benefits they have earned. Keep pushing for a vote on legislation to repeal both the GPO and WEP.

Weigh in with your members of Congress NOW!

In solidarity,

"Marc Egan" written as a signature
Marc Egan
Government Relations Director
National Education Association

three young kids wearing backpacks raise their arms in the air in front of a blackboard

FEATURED ACTION

Invest in Public Education

After passing a short-term funding patch, Congress must finish its work with a comprehensive FY2023 funding bill that prioritizes education to ensure equal opportunity—particularly in Black, brown, and rural communities.

Take Action ➤

Sec. Cardona: Extend the Limited PSLF Waiver

The waiver has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt relief, but it is set to expire Oct. 31 and many more educators need help.

Take Action ➤

Invest in School Meals and the People Who Prepare Them

Expand school meals programs and support for school food service professionals as part of child nutrition reauthorization.

Take Action ➤

Pass the Respect for Marriage Act

In his concurrence on the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, Justice Clarence Thomas suggested that decisions on marriage equality, contraception, and consensual relationships between LGBTQ+ people should also be overturned.

Take Action ➤

Fully Repeal Unfair Social Security Penalties

Support the Social Security Fairness Act and the Social Security 2100 Act to repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) that deprive educators of benefits they have earned.

Take Action ➤

THIS WEEK’S JEERS AND CHEERS

CHEER: 14 Republicans joined House Democrats to pass the Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Act by a vote of 232-193, sending the measure to President Biden to sign into law. It allows couples who combined their student loans while married to separate the debt.

CHEER: Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) introduced a resolution recognizing Banned Books Week, condemning attacks on books and freedom of expression, acknowledging the central role of books in democratic and civil discourse, and urging Congress to denounce the illegitimate processes being used to ban books in K-12 classrooms, universities, prisons, and libraries.

NEA EdAction September 18 2022

September 19, 2022

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Congress is preparing to pass a short-term spending patch to fund the government after Sept. 30 (FY2023 begins Oct. 1) and then is likely to recess until after the November elections. Senate action on the Respect for Marriage Act appeared imminent, but has been postponed—again—until after the elections. The bill’s champions are optimistic they will secure the needed 60 votes, if not more.

The Respect for Marriage Act, passed by the House in July, would ensure that ALL married couples have the same legal rights and protections. It is an explicit response to Justice Clarence Thomas’ concurring opinion in the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, in which he suggested that same-sex marriage and other rulings should be overturned as well.

At the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute conference, NEA President Becky Pringle addressed the need to support educators and Texas State Teachers Association President Ovidia Molina participated in a panel on gun violence. Other NEA Hispanic leaders met with Department of Education and White House representatives to discuss concerns and ways in which they might work together.

This week, members of the NEA Board of Directors will go to Capitol Hill to lobby on student debt, child nutrition, marriage equality, and education funding. They’ll be pushing to increase the federal investment in education—specifically, in schools with high poverty rates through Title I, in children with disabilities through IDEA, in full-service community schools, and in career and technical education.

Join them and weigh in with your members of Congress!

Sincerely,

"Marc Egan" written as a signature
Marc Egan
Government Relations Director
National Education Association

FEATURED ACTION

Invest in Public Education

Take Action ➤

Pass the Respect for Marriage Act

Take Action ➤

Fully Repeal Unfair Social Security Penalties

Take Action ➤

THIS WEEK’S JEERS AND CHEERS

CHEER: Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Katie Porter (D-CA), and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) led a bipartisan letter from 48 Members of Congress urging leadership to include school-provided meals in an upcoming budget bill to ensure no child goes hungry—an estimated 10 million students would benefit nationwide.

Getting Close to Retirement ? (like within 5 years ?)

September 8, 2022

You can get an estimate from MTRS of your years of Creditable Service by sending an email to

geninfo@trb.state.ma.us

You will need to include:

Your Name

Your Address

Date of Birth

and When you believe you are eligible (eg: I believe I will reach 80% retirement at end of 2025-2026 school year)

This is a very good thing to do especially if you changed schools / districts during your career.

You should get an email back with an attachment to fill out and mail in to get your answer, but be aware it can take 18 months to get your answer.

NEA EdAction Aug 7 2022

August 9, 2022

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After many hours of muddling through votes on political gotcha amendments, the Senate is poised to pass the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. This historic legislation includes long sought reforms in healthcare and the tax code, as well as the biggest effort in U.S. history to combat climate change.

The House has recessed, but is expected to return to Washington to vote and send the bill to President Biden to sign into law.

For the first time ever, Medicare will be allowed to negotiate the price of prescription drugs for the more than 60 million Americans covered by the program. An additional 13 million people will benefit from the extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies that have lowered working families’ premiums by $800 a year on average.

To make the tax code fairer, the largest corporations will pay a minimum tax of 15 percent—roughly the same rate as the average working taxpayer. Enhanced support for the IRS will allow the agency to reverse staff cuts, which have undermined service to taxpayers, and ensure compliance with tax laws and regulations.

To address the climate crisis, the bill supports and expands programs to produce clean energy and reduce emissions, especially in rural and disadvantaged communities. New subsidies will put electric cars—as well as the pump savings they bring—within the reach of working families. The bill will also reduce utility bills and strengthen America’s clean energy manufacturing base.

We’ll keep you posted as events warrant and resume our weekly emails after Labor Day.

In solidarity,

"Marc Egan" written as a signature
Marc Egan
Government Relations Director
National Education Association

FEATURED ACTION

Pass the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

Lower the healthcare and energy cost, combat climate change, and make the tax code fairer.

Take Action ➤

Support the Assault Weapons Ban

Banning assault weapons will help our students and loved ones feel more secure to go about their daily lives and pursue their dreams.

Take Action ➤

Take Action Today to Support Title IX

Tell the Department of Education that we support safe and welcoming learning environments.

Take Action ➤

Fully Repeal Unfair Social Security Penalties

Take Action ➤

THIS WEEK’S JEERS AND CHEERS

CHEER: 215 Democrats and Republican Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA) and Chris Jacobs (NY) supported the Assault Weapons Ban that passed House on July 29.

JEER: 213 Republicans and Democratic Reps. Henry Cuellar (TX), Vicente Gonzalez (TX), Jared Golden (ME), Kurt Schrader (OR), and Ron Kind (WI) opposed the Assault Weapons Ban that passed the House on July 29.

NEA EdAction July 31 2022

August 1, 2022

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We had important victories in both chambers of Congress last week.

On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced agreement on a legislative package using the budget reconciliation process. Since this process requires a simple majority for passage—instead of the usual 60 votes—the package is filibuster-proof.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 would lower healthcare and energy costs, combat climate change, make the tax code fairer, reduce the deficit, and more. Specifically, it would:

•   Allow Medicare to negotiate the price of widely used prescription drugs
•   Extend subsidies that lower Affordable Care Act premiums
•   Support programs to accelerate the use of clean energy and reduce emissions
•   Impose a minimum tax on corporations and enhance IRS enforcement

Leader Schumer is pushing for a Senate vote by the end of the week. The House has recessed for the month of August, but could return to Washington for a vote.

In other welcome news, the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 8450) passed out of the House Education and Labor Committee. The bill expands access to school meals, supports schools and school food service professionals, addresses school meal debt and shaming, strengthens nutrition standards, and invests in scratch cooking and farm-to-school programs—all NEA priorities.

Sincerely,

"Marc Egan" written as a signature
Marc Egan
Government Relations Director
National Education Association

FEATURED ACTION

Pass the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

Lower the healthcare and energy cost, combat climate change, and make the tax code fairer.

Take Action ➤

FEATURED ACTION

Invest in School Meals and the People Who Prepare Them

Expand school meals programs and support for school food service professionals as part of child nutrition reauthorization.

Take Action ➤

FEATURED ACTION

Take Action Today to Support Title IX

Tell the Department of Education that we support safe and welcoming learning environments.

Take Action ➤

THIS WEEK’S JEERS AND CHEERS

CHEER: Over 100 Democratic senators and representatives sent a letter asking President Biden to extend the freeze on student loan payments, set to expire at the end of August.

Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) reintroduced the No Shame at School Act included in the child nutrition reauthorization package passed by the House Education and Labor Committee. The bill prohibit school districts from publicly identifying and shaming students who are unable to pay for school meals or hiring debt collectors to recover school meal debt.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) introduced the National Advisory Council on Unpaid Meal Debt Act included in the child nutrition reauthorization package passed by the House Education and Labor Committee. The council established by the bill would address unpaid school meal debt and include ESPs such as school food service workers.

JEER: Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI) introduced an amendment to the child nutrition reauthorization package that contradicts the Department of Agriculture’s announced policy on the correct interpretation of Title IX’s prohibition on sex-based discrimination. The amendment was defeated.

NEA EdAction July 24 2022

July 30, 2022

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Last week, 47 House Republicans joined Democrats to pass the Respect for Marriage Act recognizing same-sex and interracial marriages at the federal level. The bill’s fate is uncertain in the Senate. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) needs at least 10 Republican votes to bring it to the floor, where it can pass with a simple majority.

Same-sex and interracial marriages are legal throughout the nation, but that could change if enough members of the Supreme Court agree with Justice Clarence Thomas. He concurred in the decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the ruling that struck down Roe v. Wade. At the same time, he urged the court to “reconsider” other rulings that protect prized freedoms—including our right to love, marry, and raise a family with our chosen partner.

As soon as this week, the House Education and Labor Committee may move to renew (in congressional lingo, “reauthorize”) school meals and other child nutrition programs. We are seeking a bill that:

Expands access to free meals for more students at school and during the summer
Invests in training and kitchen equipment for ESPs, the school food service professionals who keep our students fed and healthy
Addresses stigma and shaming issues related to school meal debt
Strengthens nutrition standards and invests in scratch cooking and farm-to-school programs

The bill introduced by the committee—the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act—meets those goals and more. It makes progress toward our long-term goal of healthy school meals for all students at no cost to them.

Our students need a solid foundation. Healthy, nutritious school meals help prepare them to learn and put them on the path to success.

In solidarity,

"Marc Egan" written as a signature
Marc Egan
Government Relations Director
National Education Association

FEATURED ARTICLE

Invest in School Meals and the People Who Prepare Them

Expand school meals programs and support for school food service professionals as part of child nutrition reauthorization.

Take Action ➤

Support the Assault Weapons Ban

Banning assault weapons will help our students and loved ones feel more secure to go about their daily lives and pursue their dreams.

Take Action ➤

Support the Respect for Marriage Act

The Respect for Marriage Act would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and ensure the same legal protections and recognition to all married couples.

Take Action ➤

Invest in Public Education

President Biden’s FY2023 budget would make historic investments in the students most in need through $36.5 billion in Title I funding, $16.3 billion in IDEA state grants, and $468 million in full-service community schools.

Take Action ➤

NEA EdAction July 17, 2022

July 18, 2022

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The House and the Senate are moving forward, but in different directions.

On the House side, we’re seeing activity on education funding for FY2023, which begins Oct. 1. President Biden has proposed historic investments in schools with high poverty rates through Title I funding, in children with disabilities through IDEA, and in community schools.

For the first time ever, bills to eliminate the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) are moving toward a markup that could lead to a vote on the floor. Together, the GPO and WEP deprive 2.5 million dedicated public servants, including many educators, of Social Security benefits they have earned.

On the Senate side, work is underway on a budget reconciliation bill that would require a simple majority to pass rather than the 60 votes normally needed (because of the filibuster). One piece of the bill could lower the cost of some prescription drugs.

Whether these efforts come to fruition remains to be seen. Stay tuned!

In solidarity,

"Marc Egan" written as a signature
Marc Egan
Government Relations Director
National Education Association

FEATURED ARTICLE

Leave Reproductive Decisions to Individuals

Having a child is one of the most important and personal decisions anyone makes—a decision with lifelong consequences for education, health care, employment, and earnings that affect entire families.

Take Action ➤

Fully Repeal Unfair Social Security Penalties

Take Action ➤

Support the Assault Weapons Ban

Banning assault weapons will help our students and loved ones feel more secure to go about their daily lives and pursue their dreams. Then I would have the red ‘Take Action’ button.

Take Action ➤

THIS WEEK’S JEERS AND CHEERS

CHEER: Rep. Al Green (D-TX) gave a speech on the House floor advocating against gun violence and arming teachers. In his words, “Expecting teachers to take out bad guys with guns is unreasonable, outrageous, and dumb.”

By a vote of 48-46, the Senate confirmed Steve Dettelbach as director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). He is the first Senate-confirmed leader at the helm since 2015, during a period of rising gun violence and mass shootings.

The House passed the Active Shooter Alert Act of 2022 (H.R. 6538) by a vote of 260-169. The bill would create a national system for sending AMBER-style alerts during an active-shooter emergency.

NEA EdAction July 3rd 2022

July 6, 2022

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The recent string of rulings from the Supreme Court’s radical supermajority must be a wake-up call for the nation:

• In Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Supreme Court reversed almost 50 years of precedent, flatly declaring Roe v. Wade “egregiously wrong from the start.” For the first time in American history, the court has taken away a well-settled federal constitutional right.

• In Carson v. Makin, a case involving access to education in rural Maine, the Supreme Court opened the floodgates for claims that the government must fund religious instruction if it funds any educational services outside the public schools.

• In Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, the Supreme Court further blurred the line between church and state, paving the way to coercive prayer in schools by finding it OK for a football coach to conduct public prayers at midfield after games.

• In New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen, the Supreme Court overturned a century-old New York gun safety law. The very next day, Congress passed the first federal gun safety law in decades.

In these cases, the Supreme Court rode roughshod not just over precedent, but public opinion. And that’s just fine, says Justice Samuel Alito. In his own words: “Why, for example, does the dissent think it is relevant to recount the mass shootings that have occurred in recent years?”

A ray of sunshine was the swearing in of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson—the first Black woman and public defender ever to serve on the Supreme Court. Her confirmation, which we helped secure, underscores the importance of participating in the political process. The more people who do, the more diverse judges we’ll get—in experience, thought, and background.

Still, the unfortunate truth is that there is no quick fix. Now, more than ever, we must remain engaged and fight for what we know is right. The stakes could not be higher. Democracy itself is on the line—and on the ballot come November.

In solidarity,

"Marc Egan" written as a signature
Marc Egan
Government Relations Director
National Education Association

FEATURED ARTICLE

Confirm Judicial Nominee Nancy Abudu

We need a judiciary that looks more like America, a judiciary that includes fair-minded people—with diverse personal and professional backgrounds—who are committed to justice for all.

Read More ➤

Expand Full-Service Community School

Reimagine public schools as community hubs committed to meeting the needs of the whole child with integrated support services, expanded and enriched learning opportunities, and family and community engagement.

Take Action ➤

Continue Flexibility for Free School Meals

Schools need flexibility and support to continue making healthy meals available to all students.

Take Action ➤

THIS WEEK’S JEERS AND CHEERS

CHEER: Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) introduced H. Res. 1209, the Transgender Bill of Rights, which would codify the Supreme Court’s 2020 Bostock v. Clayton County decision that protects employees against discrimination for being gay or transgender.