An Update From Washington — SIDEBAR


An Update From Washington

 

School Modernization and Construction Legislative and Budget Activity

 

Modernizing the nation’s public schools is a priority issue in the President’s proposed FY 2013 budget. It includes $30 billion to modernize schools through a school construction grant program to help create job growth. The budget also calls for the renewal of Build America Bonds (BAB), which can be used by municipalities and school districts. BABs are similar to the Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCB). The President’s budget gives added emphasis to school modernization by calling for a grant program to provide $25 billion for school modernization and $5 billion to modernize community colleges.

 

The importance and value of the QSCBs in assisting school districts across the country is demonstrated by the fact that in 2010-2011 school districts in 49 states are using over $11 billion of QSCBs to build, renovate, repair and modernize school in local communities.

 

Efforts continue on the The Rebuilding America’s Schools Act (S. 796, H.R. 2394) to extend the Qualified School Construction Bond and Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB) programs as the Senate considers tax extenders provisions as part of Social Security tax cuts and unemployment benefits negotiations. The primary negotiations are about renewing reductions in the Social Security payroll tax, continuing some form of long-term jobless benefits, and Medicare formula adjustment to prevent cuts in payments to doctors. Tax extenders for various expired tax provisions are on the table also. QZABS are among the tax provisions that expired at the end of 2011. The QSCB program expired at the end of 2010, but school districts in states with remaining allocations are continuing to use QSCBs. Senator Rockefeller (D-West Virginia) and Congressman Charles Rangel (D-New York) are leading efforts to extend these programs to modernize schools and generate local jobs in communities across the country.

 

Also, efforts to have the Senate act on Fix America’s Schools Today or FAST Act (S. 1597, H.R. 2948) sponsored by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). It provides a $30 billion grant program investing in deferred maintenance and repairs for local schools ($25 billion) and community colleges ($5 billion) be passed by this Congress. The FAST Act is pending Senate floor consideration. The FAST Act tracks the President’s America’s Jobs Act school modernization initiative.

 

 

Read: Fritzwire to keep up to date on meetings, legislation and other key events and education information. To sign up go to: [email protected]

 

About the Author

Fritz Edelstein is a principal in Public Private Action. His work focuses on strategic government and constituent relations, business development strategy, advocacy research and policy analysis, strategic planning and resource development, and advocacy, outreach and public engagement. This work includes producing Fritzwire, the education Internet newsletter providing timely information on education and related issues. To subscribe, write [email protected].

Featured

  • Lewis C. Cassidy Elementary School

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. Lewis C. Cassidy Elementary School has been recognized with an EDS 2025 Grand Prize award in the category of New Construction.

  • Image courtesy of MiEN Company

    6 Ways to Pull Off a Major District Construction Project

    Designing and building a large-scale project on a K–12 campus is a monumental undertaking that requires the right blend of ideas, funding, design and execution to get it right. The process also relies on multiple partners, each of which has to handle its respective aspect of the project while also keeping the district’s broader mission and goals in mind.

  • Allegion US Partners with Two Colleges for Mobile Credential Technology

    Allegion US recently announced a partnership with Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) and Denison College, in conjunction with Transact + CBORD, to install mobile credential technologies campus-wide, according to a news release. Implementing Mobile Student ID into Apple Wallet and Google Wallet will allow students access to campus facilities, amenities, and residence halls using just their phones.

  • ECM Technologies Wins ‘Most Innovative Business of the Year’ Award

    HVAC preventative maintenance and efficiency solutions provider ECM Technologies was recently named the “Most Innovative Business of the Year” at the 2025 Champions of Change Awards, according to a news release. The program recognizes Arizona business leaders and organizations taking steps to make a positive impact on the state through innovative thinking and philanthropy.

Digital Edition