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June 2nd Student Aid Crisis Update = Make Them Calls!

``` [These folks have been sending out a steady stream of Internet alerts on the student aid bills in Congress. I may have passed one of them along to RRE. The main reason I'm passing this one along is that it's so well done. It resembles the alerts that highly organized interests send out, usually by faxes and private networks as opposed to the Internet. It is short, it is clearly signed and dated, and it provides pointers to more information. It also contains a precise statement of the political situation, some good solid tactical advice that will help with other campaigns later, and some questions-and-answers that are similar to what real lobbyists use.]

Date: Fri Jun 2 16:31:47 PDT 1995 From: nagps@netcom.com To: nagps@dayton.stanford.edu Subject: June 2nd Student Aid Crisis Update = Make Them Calls!

STUDENT AID UPDATE JUNE 2, 1995 2.5 pages long - 750 words

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MEMORANDUM FROM #

KEVIN G. BOYER #

NAGPS EXEC DIRECTOR #

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HOUSE/SENATE BUDGET CONFERENCE

The following list are those Senators and House members who need to receive phone calls and letters (preferably from constituents) asking for their support during the Budget Conference. Specifically, we are asking each member to support the Senate version of the budget with respect to funding of student loans and the student loan interest exemption. Not all of these people are on the Conference Committee; some are perceived to have some influence on conferees or to be in need of a "shoring up" or "thank you" letter.

Also, this list is almost all Republicans. There are no Democrats on the Conference Committee who have not already indicated their firm support for the Senate version of the Budget on this issue. The only Democrat we have listed (Bennett Johnston of Louisiana) is perceived to specifically need constituent calls to shore up support.

Senate:

*Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM) (202) 224-6621 *Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) (202) 224-3744 Sen. Don Nickles (R-OK) (202) 224-5754 Sen. Phil Gramm (R-TX) (202) 224-2934 Sen. Christopher Bond (R-MO) (202) 224-5721 Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS) (202) 224-6253 *Sen. Hank Brown (R-CO) (202) 224-5941 *Sen. Slade Gorton (R-WA) (202) 224-3441 Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) (202) 224-3324 *Sen. Spencer Abraham (R-MI) (202) 224-4822 *Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN) (202) 224-3344 *Sen. Bennett Johnston (D-LA) (202) 224-5824- indicates Senator has done or said something to indicate support of our student aid position. Either the Senator voted for the Snowe amendment or said kind things for the record (Sen. Abraham, for example).

House:

Rep. John Kasich (R-OH) (202) 226-7270 Rep. David Hobson (R-OH) (202) 225-4324 Rep. Robert Walker (R-PA) (202) 225-2411 Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) (202) 225-2542 Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT) (202) 225-5541 Rep. Wally Herger (R-CA) (202) 225-3076 Rep. Jim Bunning (R-KY) (202) 225-3465 Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) (202) 225-4236 Rep. Wayne Allard (R-CO) (202) 225-4676 Rep. Dan Miller (R-FL) (202) 225-5015 Rep. Rick Lazio (R-NY) (202) 225-3335

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As a re-emphasis of previous comments on strategy:- Constituent calls are crucial. Some of the House members, in particular, are refusing calls from non-constituents. Don't attempt to lie about being a constituent. It doesn't help our movement and you end up being caught. If you aren't a constituent, explain that.- If you are a constituent, don't be afraid to be quite firm with your call. Always be polite. Those listed above (with no asterisk) have ALL voted for massive student aid cuts in one budget vote or another. Ask them why? Ask how cuts to student aid fits into their "Education Agenda?" Ask them why they are positioning themselves to be the "Anti-Student Aid" candidate in the next election?- Give your own information. "I couldn't go to college without this funding."- Remember - and be prepared to answer - the arguments being made by the other side:

ARG #1: It won't cost that much (pennies, Big Gulps, CDs, cable TV, etc.)

ANSWER: $40 extra per month is a big deal immediately after graduation. Other budget cuts will mean other $40/month increases. Grad/Professional increases are MUCH higher. Don't they understand the value of a dollar, much less $20 or $40?

ARG #2: It's not fair for 75% of the country to subsidize 25% of the country to go to college, particularly when college graduates will make tons more money.

ANSWER: Should people with no children not pay to subsidize K-12 education? What about people whose incomes are not that much greater after school, like social workers, teachers, ministers?

ARG #3: Graduate/Professional graduates can afford to pay the extra money.

ANSWER: 50% of these people go back into teaching. The average net income of a teacher is less than $30,000 per year. The average debt load for graduate & professional students has doubled in the past five years. Unsubsidized debt is also a huge factor. Increases for graduate and professional students could be as much as 50% - this can't be fair. What is the plan to handle massive increases in the cost of health care because doctors have to raise their fees to help pay off larger student loans?

ARG #4: We are cutting the education budget along with everything else because we have to "save our future" for our children. ANSWER: How counterintuitive! Shouldn't we be investing even more in education so that the children of the future (and the youth of the present) can cope with that same future? How does being "anti-education funding" equal pro-children?

ARG #5: Everyone has to suffer. This budget actually doesn't "cut spending," it only reduces increases.

ANSWER: Members of Congress are elected to set priorities. Education and student aid should be a priority. Besides, all cuts are not created equal! Student aid would be decreased significantly overall - so not every has to suffer equally. Why do students and future students have to suffer more?

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Have fun!

Kevin Boyer, Executive Directors, NAGPS

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