A summary of recent NSPE
government relations activities
NSPE Lobbies Lawmakers at P.E. Day on the Hill
During the recent, successful P.E. Day on the Hill, NSPE members from
across the country visited more than 200 congressional offices on Capitol
Hill to discuss issues of concern to the engineering community.
Legislators and their staffs heard how important it is to support the
recommendations of the Water Infrastructure Network (WIN) to meet the
challenges for funding water and wastewater infrastructure needs. NSPE and
its WIN partners recommended increasing the federal role where needs are
great, public health or the environment is at risk, or local resources are
inadequate. An enhanced federal role would provide for distribution of
funds in fiscally responsible and flexible ways, including grants, loans,
loan subsidies, and credit assistance. While NSPE urged members of
Congress to support the Clean Water Infrastructure Financing Act (S.
252/H.R. 668), which provides funds for the Clean Water State Revolving
Fund, the Society also pointed out that the bills fall short of the $57
billion recommended by WIN.
House members were encouraged to support the K-12 math and science
education legislative package re-introduced by Rep. Vernon Ehlers
(R-Mich.). One of the bills included in the package, the National Science
Education Act (H.R. 100), would provide funds for master teachers who,
through professional development and support for use of hands-on inquiry
materials, will lead groups of science, math, engineering, or technology
(SMET) teachers in grades K-12.
Another bill in the package, the National Science Education Enhancement
Act (H.R. 101), would provide for meaningful professional development for
science and math teachers through rigorous summer institutes. The National
Science Education Incentive Act (H.R. 102) would provide tax credits to
beginning math and science teachers with strong content preparation and
tax incentives to businesses who provide assistance to local schools to
help with SMET training. They were also encouraged to co-sponsor the
National Improvement in Mathematics & Science Teaching Act (H.R. 117),
which was introduced by Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.). The act would implement
the recommendations of the Glenn Commission.
The previous afternoon, participants heard from Greg Casey about the
importance of being involved in the political process. Casey is the
president and chief executive officer of the Business & Industry
Political Action Committee and former Sergeant-at-Arms for the Senate.
They also heard from Jeff Moore, the lobbyist for WIN, about the
coalition's final report and recommendations. A reception overlooking the
Capitol rounded out the day's activities.
NSPE President-elect Dan Clinton, P.E., welcomes NSPE members and
their spouses to P.E. Day on the Hill.
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The NSPE Government Relations staff would like to thank everyone who
participated in P.E. Day on the Hill. Without you, the day would not have
been so successful. We hope you will tell members who were unable to
attend how informative the day was and how much fun it was. Next year's
P.E. Day on the Hill will be held in conjunction with the NSPE Winter
Meeting in January. Watch this space for details.
