Speaking Out! Child advocates on the State of the Union

Obama makes new calls for education reform, shared responsibility in State of the Union

Last week President Obama gave Congress and the nation some details on his plan for “An America Built to Last.” His third State of the Union address primarily focused on economic issues, but had many implications for children, especially in education and budget matters.

Child advocates cheered Obama’s line that “we know a good teacher can increase the lifetime income of a classroom by over $250,000.” It was important recognition that American schooling needs greater investment, even in the face of gaps state governments are confronting. As Voices President and CEO Bill Bentley said in his statement, “We’re pleased that President Obama chose to devote so much of the State of the Union to education and workforce issues, drawing attention to how we raise, educate and provide for the next generation of workers, caretakers and innovators.”

A presidential nod to the DREAM Act was also welcome to our ears. Although the DREAM Act was not named, it was alluded to when Obama said of immigrant students, “let’s at least agree to stop expelling responsible young people who want to staff our labs, start new businesses, and defend this country. Send me a law that gives them the chance to earn their citizenship.”

Voices supports the DREAM Act because it gives a chance at citizenship for students who came into the country while very young, resided for at least five years, stayed out of trouble, earned a high school diploma or GED, and completed at least two years of college or military service, helping many of those who best embody what it means to strive for the American Dream.

President Obama argued that addressing our national debt will require shared sacrifice. Invoking “the Buffett rule” again, Obama called for an end to tax breaks for the very wealthiest, arguing persuasively that breaks like these ensure that those without corporate lobbyists are the ones who would end up footing the bill for the national deficit. The federal budget is important, but so are the personal budgets of millions of families still struggling in the wake of the recession.

In post-SOTU briefing, VP Biden, Obama officials lay out their plans to Voices, other advocates

The day after the State of the Union address, Voices and others in the advocacy community attended a briefing about the Obama administration’s plans with senior officials, including Vice President Joe Biden.

A panel of senior Obama advisers promised action on the extension of unemployment benefits. In the final weeks of last year, Congress stalled on a few issues and ultimately agreed to extend long-term unemployment benefits for just two months. The debate on whether to extend both unemployment benefits and the politically popular payroll tax cut, due to expire Feb. 29, resumes next week. “It would be senseless” not to extend unemployment insurance, said Deputy Director of the National Economical Council Brian Deese at the meeting.

Vice President Biden didn’t get into many policy specifics, but said a few very sincere words on the plight of the middle class in America, drawing from his own experience growing up lower-middle class in an economically depressed area. Joblessness has “stripped people of their dignity” in America, Biden said, adding that “What is at stake is the middle class, and access to it.” Promising reform of the tax code, Biden said that America’s current income equality is “unsustainable,” and that the federal budget must not be balanced on the backs of America’s youngest and most vulnerable.

Voices live-tweeted the event and posted photos on our Facebook account. Follow us to get more updates!