ALAWON: American Library Association Washington Office Newsline
Volume 11, Number 60
July 25, 2002

In This Issue: SENATE MOVES ON APPROPRIATIONS BILLS

LABOR HHS EDUCATION
On Thursday, July 17, the Senate Labor HHS Education Appropriations Subcommittee marked up its FY2003 appropriations bill, followed by the full Appropriations Committee on July 18 (S. 2766, S. Report 107-216).  Overall the Senate subcommittee restored many of the education programs that had been zeroed out in the Administration's budget.  The bill as approved by the full Committee would spend $5.7 billion more than the Bush budget.  One of the highest priorities of the subcommittee was to fund the National Institute of Health at a $3.7 billion increase.  Pell grants would increase by $100, bringing the maximum grant to $4,100 per student; the Institute for Museum and Library Services would receive a total of $214 million, (the account now includes the Museum programs as well as the library programs), with $10 million of the increase for the library recruitment initiative, and an additional $4 million increase in state library programs over the FY2002 levels. The bill also includes a doubling of the Literacy Through School Libraries program from the FY2002 level of $12.5 million to $25 million for FY2003.  

In other education programs, the 21st Century Learning Centers would be funded at the same level as FY2002, $385 million, while Educational Technology State Grants would receive $700 million and College Work-Study would receive $1,011 billion.
Adult Education State Grants would be funded at the same level as FY2002, $725 million.  The Reading First initiative would rise to $1 billion, $100 million over FY2002, while the Early Reading First program would be funded at $75 million, the same as FY2002.  Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology would receive a $5 million increase to $67.5 million.

It is expected that the House Subcommittee on Labor HHS Education may mark up its version of the Appropriations bill soon after the end of recess in September.

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Both the Senate and the House have passed Interior appropriations bills and a later ALAWON will report on those bills.  Today, 7/25, the Senate is considering the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill (S.2720, S. Rep. 107-209).



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