News

Texas CEC Alert: Action Needed
TEXAS CONGRESSWOMAN IN POSITION TO DEMAND
MORE FUNDING FOR IDEA, JAVITS
Tell Congress to provide more funding for students with disabilities and/or gifts and
talents!
Visit: http://capwiz.com/cek/home/
Members of Congress are now renegotiating funding levels for education programs such
as IDEA, after the House of Representatives defeated the initial proposal which would
have increased funding for IDEA by the smallest amount in a decade. The original
proposal would have cut the Javits program for students with gifts and talents by $1.3
million. Congresswoman Kay Granger (Republican, Texas' 12th district) has been
appointed as one of only a few to the House-Senate conference committee to renegotiate
the bill (H.R. 3010). Congresswoman Granger plays a significant role
in determining how much funding education programs - like IDEA and Javits - will receive
in fiscal year 2006. Even if you aren't in Rep.. Granger's district, tell the rest of Texas'
elected officials that students with disabilities and/or gifts deserve better! Every member
of Congress will vote on this bill. Tell your member of Congress to support increased
funding for IDEA and the Javits program by visiting CEC's Legislative Action Center:
http://capwiz.com/cek/home/

All you have to do is enter your zip code and the Legislative Action Center will provide you
with a draft email you can personalize. It's that easy!
Negotiations are going on NOW and we have to act quickly! Today, visit
http://capwiz.com/cek/home/.
Tell your family, friends and colleagues to do the
same!

JOIN THE LISTSERV
While on the topic of communication, please be sure to join the region's listserv so that
you can become as connected as possible to the region's activities. You'll be glad you
did! On occasion, we need to be able to contact each other quickly, and the listserv
seems the most effective and efficient way to do it. For example, following hurricanes
Katrina and Rita, we needed to gather as much information as possible regarding the
well-being of our members and to share ideas regarding the offering of assistance. The
listserv can be an invaluable resource at such times. Contact Kathleen Coleman at
kaseyy@mac.com for instructions on how to join.