Dim Prospects in the New Congress

School Administrator, March, 1995 by Nick Penning

The new House leadership under Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., has given us a large dose of what to expect from Congress over the next two years: a focus on emotional social issues, a drumbeat on the poor quality of American education, and an attempt to pare education funds in assistance programs for those in economic and educational need.

The Congress and now even the Clinton administration want to fold vocational education funds into a massive job training block grant to states. Imagine how much money would be funneled into state education agency coffers before local schools ever see a dime!

Meanwhile, the Senate elected Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., majority whip over the objections of new Majority Leader Robert Dole, R-Kan. Dole wanted his party to back his longtime ally, Sen. Alan Simpson, R-Wyo., as his next-in-command. Instead, the Senate Republicans ousted Simpson from his post as whip and replaced him with Lott.

Senate moderates see nothing but trouble as a consequence of that move. Dole, who plans to run for president in 1996, will have to stay close to home base in Washington--lest in his absence his new whip send the ship of state down a far-right course.

Where does this leave public education? The only thing we know for certain is that every education panel in both chambers will look at the vocational education and workplace education block grant concept. Funding levels are likely to drop dramatically now that President Clinton, his party in the House, and congressional Republicans are all calling for substantial tax cuts they claim will be paid for by budget cuts.

Education, accounting for less than 2 percent of the $1.1 trillion budget, represents an unusually high proportion of the non-entitlement discretionary programs that would have to be slashed if a tax cut frenzy emerges. The House floor promises to be tied up with Gingrich's promise to implement his "Contract with America." During these first 100 days, the GOP's agenda includes:

* a "Fiscal Responsibility Act" to establish a balanced budget/tax limitation amendment and a legislative line-item veto;

* a crime initiative entitled "Take Back Our Streets" that calls for stronger sentencing, more effective death penalty laws, cuts in social spending from last summer's crime bill to fund prison construction, and more police officers for neighborhoods;

* a "Personal Responsibility Act" to (1) prohibit welfare to teen-age mothers and deny increases in Aid for Families with Dependent Children to those who bear additional children, (2) cut spending on welfare, and (3) enact a "two-years-and-out" provision with work requirements;

* a "Family Reinforcement Act" to enforce child support, give tax incentives for adoption, strengthen rights of parents in their children's education, enact stronger child pornography laws, and create an elderly dependent tax credit;

* an "American Dream Restoration Act" to offer a $500-per-child tax credit, repeal the marriage tax penalty, and create "American Dream Savings Accounts";

* a "National Security Restoration Act" to increase military spending and prohibit U.S. troops from serving under United Nations command;

* a "Senior Citizens Fairness Act" to raise the amount of money a senior can earn while receiving Social Security, repeal the 1993 Social Security tax increases on Social Security benefits, and provide tax incentives for private long-term-care insurance to let older citizens keep more of their earnings;

* a "Job Creation an Wage Enhancement Act" to gives small business incentives and capital gains cuts and strengthen the Regulator Flexibility Act and unfunded mandate reform;

* a "Common Sense Legal Reform Act" to establish "reasonable limits" on punitive damages and reform product liability laws;

* a "Citizen Legislature Act" to create congressional term limits "to replace career politicians with citizen legislators."

That's a heavy workload for an institution not known for its lightning speed. Internal rifts will occur in both parties and we may see major spats with the president.

AASA will continue to do its best to protect the nation's school-age children and their interests.