TO: NDSC Members and Affiliated Parent Groups
FROM: Susan Goodman, Director, Governmental Affairs
DATE: April 17, 2006

Victory for Advocates…For Now

Your phone calls worked! Last week the House of Representatives failed to pass their Fiscal 2007 budget resolution. That resolution was $10 billion below the level needed to maintain current services. Although most Republican members favored passing the resolution, some sided with their Democratic colleagues and demanded more funding for social services programs (known as "discretionary" funding). Thus, the resolution failed to pass.

While there is still a chance that a vote on the resolution could occur after the current recess (April 7th - 23rd), the House is not required by law to have a budget resolution. Without one, the House and the Senate will vote on a "deeming resolution." This resolution sets the overall discretionary amount. The House and Senate may differ on that number.

After that, the Appropriations Committee uses the number in the deeming resolution and can begin passing bills. The same disagreements over funding levels for social services will likely arise in the fall at the end of the appropriations process.

While an advocate's work is never done, we should celebrate each victory and prepare for the next challenge! NDSC will keep you informed of events and action needed.