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November 27, 2024
Leading the news this week:
An early Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! The ACCT Public Policy Team is thankful for you! We would like to take a moment to appreciate all our readers, and community college supporters for your continued advocacy. Staying engaged and informed is critical for the success of community colleges and the students they serve. Without your voice, we could not have the impact we do with federal lawmakers and agency officials. We hope to maintain your support and rely on your advocacy during the lame duck session this holiday season; and we look forward to your support in 2025 and the new 119th Congress and new presidential administration.
Now let's dive into the latest news in higher education!
Progress on Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) Negotiations
Late last week, leaders of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee in the Senate and the Education and Workforce Committee in the House of Representatives unveiled a bipartisan, bicameral agreement to reauthorize the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA). The challenge now will be finding time on the floor for consideration of the bill in both chambers before the end of Congress. The more likely approach will be finding a legislative vehicle like the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) or a Continuing Resolution (CR) extension to attach the legislation in order for it to become law before this Congress adjourns.
The revised "A Stronger Workforce for America Act (ASWAA)" includes one of ACCT's top legislative priorities which is the codification of the Strengthening Community College Training Grant (SCCTG). SCCTG has been in existence for about five years, and it was established through the FY 2020 funding legislation. However, it was never codified into law and was subject to the discretion of appropriators for continued funding. In the new proposal the program is renamed as the Strengthening Community College Workforce Development Grant.
Preparing for the 2025 NLS Webinar
As we prepare for the start of the 119th Congress in 2025 and the start of the second Trump Administration, ACCT encourages all community college leaders and stakeholders to join us in Washington DC for the National Legislative Summit. With a new administration, new committee leadership in both chambers, and so many new elected officials, it is a great opportunity to show federal stakeholders the importance of community colleges.
In an effort to help prepare attendees for the NLS, ACCT staff will host a webinar on Tuesday December 10, 2024, at 2 PM ET. During this webinar, we will provide an update on the current federal lay of the land going into the 119th Congress, share best practices and discuss the timelines your college should use as a guide to ensure you maximize your advocacy on behalf of your college while in DC. You can register for the webinar here.
Chair of House Education and Workforce Committee Wishes to Prevent Changes to Online Program Management Regulation
Congresswoman Virginia Fox (NC) sent the Department of Education a letter expressing that changes to regulations of online program management (OPM) companies would "obliterate a decades old, foundational principle of public-private ed tech partnerships..." Currently, OPMs are allowed to help institutions of higher education recruit students as long as they provide additional services creating a tuition-sharing dynamic between the OPM and the institution. OPMs have been credited for helping institutions increase their online offerings quickly and even assuming the upfront costs of launching new programs; however, critics argue that these relationships can result in OPMs overcharging for online courses and using predatory recruitment tactics. Currently, the Department has not confirmed if it plans to update or rescind the guidance before the end of the Biden-Harris administration.
Federal Judge Blocked Overtime Rule
Texas Federal Judge, Sean Jordan, ruled that the Department of Labor (DOL) overstepped its authority under the Fair Labor and Standards Act (FLSA) thus striking down President Biden's rule which would increase the minimum salary threshold for FLSA's white-collar overtime exemption. Salary threshold increases that took effect on July 1, 2024 are now nullified and will revert to the 2019 levels. The Education and Workforce Committee Chairwoman, Virginia Foxx, issued a statement saying, "The Biden-Harris economy is crushing everyday Americans with burdensome regulations that stifle growth and innovation—the overtime rule is just one of many bad policies." And Ranking Member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Bill Cassidy commented that, "This ruling is a win for American families struggling to make ends meet under the Biden-Harris economy." As a result of this rule getting rejected, those making over $35,568 a year, which amounts to nearly 4 million salaried workers, including those employed by colleges and universities, are no longer eligible for overtime pay. At this time, the DOL is considering its next step in the litigation process.
Grant Opportunities
- November 30 - Celebrating the Contribution of African Food to American Cuisine Application Deadline
- December 2 - 2025 Young Trilateral Leaders Network (YTL) eSports Competition
- December 5 3:00-4:15PM EST - Helping Community College Students Build a More Secure Financial Future Webinar
- December 12, 11:59 PM EST - Save America's Treasures Preservation Grant
- December 13, 5:00 PM EST - Offshore Wind Workforce Readiness Programs Application Deadline
- December 15 11:59PM EST - Southwest Border Resource Protection Program
- December 16 - Ports for the Future Partnerships
- December 19 - Ethiopia Rapid Response Mechanism Grant closing date
- December 20 - National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program Advanced Packaging Research and Development
- January 6, 2025 11:59PM EST - Head Start/ Early Head Start Recipient, Early Head Start Expansion and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants
- January 15, 2025 - Accurate Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment Completers List due to ED
- January 16, 2025 - Ports for the Future Partnerships Grant Closing Date
- January 21, 2025 - Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Program—Short-Term Projects
- January 22, 2025 - Addressing Systems Challenges through Engineering Teams Grant Closing Date
- February 9-12, 2025 - National Legislative Summit
Outreach Efforts
Is your institution meeting or hosting an event with federal elected officials?
We created a Congressional Contact Form that will help us track outreach efforts of community college leaders across our membership. By filling out the form, you are better informing ACCT's advocacy efforts and our advocacy team is able to continue those conversations with congressional staff in DC.
ACCT NOW is the go-to resource for issues affecting community colleges. Our new website features original reporting and research, as well as of-the-moment legislative updates. ACCT NOW also includes articles, reports, and research from outside sources that benefit the ACCT community. Read the Latest Articles on ACCT NOW:
Have a Question?
Contact us with any questions or concerns about public policy and ACCT's advocacy on behalf of two-year colleges and two-year college trustees. ACCT's Latest Action in Washington alerts are sent to interested ACCT members to keep you up to date on important legislative activities that impact community colleges.
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