Here’s a quick look at the news from last week (April 14 – April 18). 

ADMINISTRATION
The Department of Labor published the notice for the fourth and final round of the TAACCCT grant competition (Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training grants). There is $450 million available for this round of the competition for job-training partnerships between community colleges and employers. Applications are due on July 7, 2014.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced her resignation. President Obama has nominated OMB Director Sylvia Matthews Burwell to replace her.

The Negotiated Rulemaking Committee on Program Integrity issues will hold their third session this week on April 23, 24 and 25. The Department of Education distributed new draft regulatory proposals to the panel members last week, several of which have been posted online: PLUS loan standards; Title IV aid disbursement; and state authorization.

BUDGET
The Congressional Budget Office released their budget projections for 2014 – 2024, which include baseline projections for Pell Grants and student loan programs. The Pell Grant projections show that the program will not face a funding shortfall until 2017 (so long as the current level of discretionary spending for this program is maintained). The projected shortfall starting in 2017 is later than it has been projected in the past.  Under current spending levels, shortfalls are expected to continue to exist past 2017.

HOUSE and SENATE
The House and Senate are in recess this week and are scheduled to return to session on Monday, April 28.

Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI), the second-highest ranking majority member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, announced last week that he will not seek re-election this fall.

House Education and the Workforce Committee Senior Democrat George Miller (D-CA) announced new Democratic leaders for several subcommittees. Rep. John Tierney (D-MA) will be the ranking member of the Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee, and Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-IA) will be the new ranking member of the Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Penn Hill Group provides a list of grant opportunities and summaries for select grants, including the recently announced TAACCCT grant competition. Please visit our website for more information.