Hello Outstanding MEEOA Colleagues,

I hope this email finds you well and you are getting some of the sunnier,
warmer weather that we are experiencing here in Farmington. I am not going
to make any comment in regards to the future of our spring (remaining
winter) as I will, surely, jinx things. But I am hopeful for more sunny and
warm days in the near future.

I am writing to give some updates about the recent White House budget
proposal for FY20-21 and how we can take action without even leaving our
desks!

In case you have not heard, ten days ago, we received notice that the
budget proposal for FY20-21 had been released and things do not look so
optimistic for TRIO and Gear Up. However, I am optimistic in your ability
and willingness to fight for the funding that helps keep our programs
afloat and more importantly supports our students, for whom we do all of
this imperative work. The proposal slashed funding to non-defense programs
that support domestic priorities, such as *education*, housing, public
health, low-income assistance, etc. The Administration has proposed roughly
an $8.5 billion (or 12%) reduction to the U.S. Department of Education.
Furthermore, last year's proposal to consolidate Gear Up and TRIO is back
on the table, which would cut funding by roughly one third from the current
combined funding total of these programs. In addition to the immediate
threat to our programs, the budget proposal also poses serious threats to
other minority-serving educational programs. Fortunately, it is Congress
that controls the "power of the purse," and who will ultimately decide what
happens to our programs.

While some of us are gearing up to head to Washington, D.C. for Policy
Seminar with some fantastic Maine TRIO alumni, we understand that making
that trip is not feasible for everyone. However, there is something you can
do this week and in the coming weeks to support our programs and advocate
for their futures. Following up the stellar representation we have had in
the last few days between the Maine Calling segment featuring Lynn
Ploof-Davis (UMF), Karen Keim (UMaine), and Katharine Lualdi (SMCC) and
yesterday's Hall of Flags event attended by a variety of TRIO and Gear Up
programs from around the state, we can use this momentum as we advocate
with our House Representatives on the Hill.

In the House of Representatives, TRIO Caucus Co-Chair and TRIO Alumna
Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI) has been joined by Representatives Donald
Payne Jr. (D-NJ) and Chris Smith (R-NJ) in leading the FY 2020 TRIO
Appropriations Request Letter, calling for a significant increase in TRIO
funding for the 2020-2021 program year. The letter can be read here
<http://t.congressweb.com/l/?WQTGRZHQMYYUHSX>. I encourage all of you to
reach out to your House Representatives on behalf of our TRIO and Gear Up
programs, and encourage them to sign onto this letter!

Next week in Washington, D.C. we will do our best to show our Legislators
the impact of our programs and why we deserve to continue to be funded so
we can continue with this powerful work. We have also seen the success in
the past from all of you contacting your Legislators to advocate for our
programs, so this is of utmost importance and is very much appreciated! I
look forward to updating you all after we return with all of the
information we receive while being in the Nation's capital. I am honored
and grateful to be able to be there as one of our representatives of all of
you.

If you have any questions or concerns at all, please do not hesitate to
reach out.

Until next time,

Eric

-- 
*Eric Pratt*
Pronouns: He|Him|His

Academic Counselor
MEEOA Government Relations Chair
Upward Bound | University of Maine at Farmington
252 Main Street
Farmington, ME 04938
C: 207.314.5499 | W: 207.778.7279
Toll Free: 1.888.237.1667
www.upwardbound.umf.maine.edu