[14884] in APO-L
Nat'l Service Alert (fwd)
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Thomas E. Brown Jr)
Tue Aug 27 12:03:05 1996
Date: Tue, 27 Aug 1996 10:54:39 -0500
Reply-To: "Thomas E. Brown Jr" <tebrown@lonestar.jpl.utsa.edu>
From: "Thomas E. Brown Jr" <tebrown@lonestar.jpl.utsa.edu>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
An Alert from our Friends at the National & Community Service Coalition
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBO Offers Deficit Reductino Options: Eliminate National Service
As part of its annual ritual, the Congressional Budget Office has published
its August recess publication: "Reducing the Deficit: Spending and Revenue
Options." Included in this year's 500 page tome is the following offering:
"DOM-50 Eliminate Funding for the National and Community Service Act"
CBO notes that eliminating Federal funding for three programs (AmeriCorps,
the NCCC and Serve-America) would save $1.9 billion over the 1997-2002
period measured from the 1996 funding level. CBO suggests that "some of the
savings from eliminating those programs could be redirected to the Federal
Pell Grant Program, which is more closely targeted toward low-income
students."
Without editorial comment, CBO goes on to say...
"Some critics who favor eliminating the three programs maintain that the
federal governments cost per participant is excessive. For example the
federal government pays more than $20,000 per AmeriCorps participant, of
which only about one-thrid actually constitutes financial aid. furthermore,
critics argue that community service should be voluntary rather than an
activity for which a person is paid. An additional justification for this
option is based on the view that the main goal of federal aid is students
should be to provide access to postsecondary education for people with low
income. Because participation in these programs is not based on family
income or assets, funds do not necessarily go to the poorest students."
In defense of the program, CBO adds....
"Supporters of the programs argue, however, that in addition to providing
valuable services, the National and Community Service Act enables many
students to attend postsecondary schools. Moreover, a substantial portion
of AmeriCorps's total funding comes from state and local governments and
from private enterprises, and at least some of those funds might not be
available if the act was not there as leverage. Opponents of this option
also argue that some early research on AmeriCorps indicates that the
benefits to individuals and US society are likely to be greater than the
federal investment in it. In addition, they believe that offering
opportunities for national service promotes a sense of idealism among young
people and should be supported."
CBO, an independent agency of the Congress, provides guidance on spending
and revenue options and score keeping of congressional action in order to
assist Federal lawmakers in carrying out their duties under the
congressional budget process. The annual options piece is not at all
controlling -- but it certainly has given Congress cover for its actions,
from time to time.
Original message from:
National & Commmunity Service Coalition
409 Third Street, SW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20024
202-488-SERV 202-488-1004 (fax) NCSC@aol.com
-----------------------------------------------------------
*************************************************************
* It's COOL to Serve! *
* C.O.O.L. - Campus Outreach Opportunity League *
* *
* Founded in 1984, COOL is a national non-profit *
* organization working to encourage, support and expand *
* campus-based community service efforts. *
* COOL's mission is to educate and empower students *
* to strengthen our nation through service. *
* *
* For more information contact us at: *
* 1511 K Street, NW, Suite 307 *
* Washington, DC 20005 *
* (202)637-7004 phone *
* (202)637-7021 fax *
* E-Mail: homeoffice@COOL2SERVE.org *
* Web Site: http://www.COOL2SERVE.org *
*************************************************************
