Message from Anita Estell

“The President’s submission of the Fiscal Year 2011 budget signals that “they are out of the gates!”

Between now and September activity in DC will be picking up the pace quite a bit. His recommendations now will be considered by Congress.  Already there is a fury of activity on Capitol Hill.  With a dual focus on job creation and reduction of our national debt, those who have been elected to represent you in Washington certainly have their work cut out — particularly as they come up for evaluation during the mid-term election cycle in November.   In anticipating more robust discussions related to the budget, it it important to assess the parameters outlined by the President — in the areas of both spending and tax policy.  More to come.  For now, enjoy the process of being in the know.”

November 2009

As Congress remains singularly focused on resolving issues associated with health care legislation, significant activity is taking place in the areas of reducing the debt of college students, small business policy, transportation, and water resources.

Additionally, for those who like to monitor how the money is spent, with an eye on getting some, Congress is working to complete appropriations decisions for the FY10 cycle. Reports suggest that there will be a “mini-bus” — an appropriations measure that places several appropriations bills under one vehicle. There has been some discussion that the Interior or Defense bills may be the vehicle used to carry the cargo. Remember the Continuing Resolution that keeps the government running expires in just a few days at the end of October. In the executive branch, this is the time of year that the Office of Management Budget will be making recommendations for the next fiscal cycle — FY11.

If you consider yourself to be an astute player, this is the time to reach out to the White House and OMB to make sure the president keeps any campaign promises related to your programs, and provides funding for programs in the budget he sends to Congress. As we head to the next session of Congress, good Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, competition for federal resources will be keen. Increasingly, attention will be turned to authorizing and competitive grant opportunities and away from earmarks.

- Anita Estell

The People’s Place | The Anita Estell Blog
www.anitaestellblog.com

Dear Friends,

Congress is on August Recess and will not return until after Labor Day.  Many Members have returned to their districts and states and convened Town Hall meetings related to healthcare reform.  Based on select media accounts, some of these events have generated heated discussion.  Other accounts by Members with whom I have spoken suggest the contrary — while many back home have concerns about the policies unfolding in Washington, these gatherings have not sparked the constituent combustion that has been widely reported.  Whatever the response, concerns related to emerging proposals are real.  They cannot be dismissed.  Americans want real answers, and they are uneasy about adding new costs and tax burdens during a time of economic decline.  There has been some hoopla about the “public option” and ”pre-existing conditions,”  but ultimately average Americans are most timid about paying for it.  Despite the disagreements, I remain optimistic that an appropriate balance can be struck, and to the extent that errors in judgement may occur, I propose (pray) that the prevailing mood ultimately will err on the side of providing coverage to as many Americans as possible.

As I prepare to take a break from the DC scene for a much needed vacation, I thought I would share a few links that would help you draw your own conclusions.  Please see below.  Also, for a real in-depth review of literature in support of reform, check out www.familiesusa.org.

When I return, Congress most likely will be moving at a frenzy pace, trying to recapture momentum and support needed to pass a veto-proof health bill and bring closure to the FY10 appropriations process.  As a reminder, the FY2009 funding cycle ends on September 30, 2009.  Will all 12 appropriations bill be completed?   Not sure.  If not, a Continuing Resolution is certain.

For now, take a moment to hit the refresh button and take care of that which is most important — yourself and those you love.

- Anita Estell

Last week in Washington, the White House and other leaders celebrated the 45th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act.  Amazing, in just 45 years, a black man became the 44th president of the United States.  This achievement is even more amazing when you consider the chronology of the black experience in America.  The arrival of blacks to the U.S. can be traced back to at least 1607 and the founding of Jamestown, VA. That is 402 years ago.  Whew.  As in four centuries.  1607 to 1964 represents 357 years.  To put it another way, blacks in America endured 357 years of barbaric, inhumane and governmentally sanctioned policies and atrocities (in the form of slavery, jim crow, lynchings, sodomy, etc.), before they formally were invited to stand on the welcome mat placed at the threshold of democracy’s door.  From 1964 to 1980, the nation undertook and embraced bold and agressive strategies via the war on poverty, affirmative action and other approaches to remedy and redress the racially discriminatory and virulent vestiges of a proposed democratic system gone awry.  In total, this represents a 16 – year commitment at the federal level to unduing over three centuries of systemic and systematic racially-biased madness.  With the war in Vietnam and other challenges, including the assasinations of John Kennedy, Martin Luther King,  Robert Kennedy, and so much more — during that 16-year period, we were just getting warmed up, to use a sports metaphor.  If you prefer the culinary arts, we had not yet finished the first course, or been served an entree.  We barely had a moment to whet our whistle.

- Anita Estell