MDRC is pleased to have this opportunity to provide additional information for the consideration of Chairman Alexander, Ranking Member Murray, and members of the Committee on ways research can be used to improve the academic success of low-income college students. The goal of this additional testimony is to reiterate the second recommendation in…

In 2012, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions launched a series of hearings to examine the challenge of college affordability. In the first three hearings, the Committee heard from the administration, from both traditional and online universities and community colleges, from State officials, higher education associations,…

The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-152) was put in place to provide for reconciliation pursuant to Title II of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2010 (S. Con. Res. 13). The table of contents for this Act is as follows: (1) Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. (A) Title--Coverage,…

This is a collection of 16 articles on zero-based budgeting (ZBB), dealing primarily with the practice as it occurs in the states. Included is a lengthy report on ZBB practices in the states based on a survey conducted by the National Association of State Budget Officers and the Congressional Research Service. (IRT)

One paper, one published article and one transcript of testimony that discuss school finance under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 are presented. "Select Topics of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 for the Issuers of Tax-Exempt Governmental Obligations," by Carla J. Smith, presents three selected topics that address the issuers of tax-exempt…

The Secretary amends regulations governing the process for submitting discretionary grant applications by removing current provisions requiring specific application formats, thereby permitting electronic submission of applications. The revisions also clarify that only applicants submitting paper applications are required to submit one original and…

This document provides transcripts of witness testimony and prepared statements from the first of three Congressional hearings called to examine at the local level the administration of the social security disability review program. Following the opening statements of Senators John Heinz and Charles H. Percy, testimonies are presented from three…

This document provides transcripts of witness testimony and prepared statements from the second of three Congressional hearings called to examine at the local level the administration of the social security disability review program. Opening statements by Congressmen Martin J. Frost and J. J. Pickle, and Senator John Heinz are presented. Testimony…

This document provides transcripts of witness testimony and prepared statements from the third of three Congressional hearings called to examine at the local level the administration of the social security disability review program. Opening statements are presented from Representatives J. J. Pickle and Beryl Anthony, Jr., and Senator Daniel Pryor.…

This booklet, prepared by the Michigan senate fiscal agency, explains new amendments to the state constitution that establish tax and expenditure limitations on state and local government in the state. The purpose of the report is to help legislators implement the new law. The first part of each section analyzes the constitutional language of the…

Several tax proposals before the U.S. Congress in 1992 are intended to provide relief to middle-income families. This report analyzes the key tax proposals to determine their adequacy in helping low-income families. The proposals fall into four general categories, those involving: (1) an increase in the personal exemption for dependents; (2) the…

In a Kansas school finance case, trial court Judge Terry Bullock issued a preliminary legal opinion and convened meetings between legislature representatives and the governor's office. Yale law student Charles Berger's article characterized this novel approach as "equity without adjudication." Lehigh student Ralph Puerta's accompanying…

Kansas's nonadjudicative process, which yielded a speedy finance reform package, may have several weaknesses. Judicial guidance is beneficial, but speed may result in an imprecise final reform product and come at the expense of power, substance, and permanence. Pennsylvania's slower supreme court adjudication process may set finance reform…

Testimony concerning the proposed Fair Chance Act, a bill to ensure all children's chances for receiving a good education, is reported. Although the United States is spending a substantial amount to support its public schools, children are receiving a substantially unequal education, depending on the state, county, or municipality where they live.…

The Subcommittee on Human Resources (Committee on Education and Labor) was convened to review federal transportation policy with regard to Project Head Start and to discuss possible solutions to problems which have recently surfaced. The problems are related to funding and the time provided to local Head Start programs to purchase and/or replace…