Fort Bragg Impact Aid: Who Do We Hold Accountable?

On Thursday February 28th, the Fayetteville Observer published an opinion article entitled "On point: Congressional vigilance is needed to ensure educational excellence." The article discussed the need for members of Congress, in particular those that represent the areas around Fort Bragg, to appropiate additional impact aid to support the burden that Fort Bragg's future growth will put on the communities around it. Although members of Congress are responsible for federal education appropriations, there must be accountability and sound policy from state and local officials as well. State and local officials decide how those appropiations are used. It is up to the constituents of these officials to hold them accountable for their education policies. If there is a valid documented fear that the entrance of new students from Fort Bragg families will harm the education system, then local and state officials
need to prepare for such a situation. Setting aside funds, cutting programs, and submitting requests for additional funding are some steps that can be taken before it becomes a real problem.

Money is never the solution to a problem. It is what you do with that money that helps create a solution. Congress has learned this lesson the hard way. Years of wasteful spending cost Republicans the majority in Congress. Earmarks funding programs and projects in their local districts, that were intended to help insure re-election, backfired on them. Appropriating money into local districts is nothing new and is expected. However, recklessly funding projects with no overall benefit to the district has cost many politicians their jobs.

The 110th U.S. Congress is intent on curbing wasteful spending. The Republican Party has a renewed sense of fiscal conservatism, and the Democratic Blue Dog Coalition is tracking each dollar added to the federal deficit. Earmark reform and increasing government transparency have become hot topics on Capitol Hill. The federal government has started to hold itself accountable for wasting taxpayer dollars. Is it not about time that local and state officials did the same?

The expansion and growth of Fort Bragg will result in new problems never faced by the communities around it. Community leaders have to anticipate and account for projected growth. In the past, Cumberland County has effectively anticipated the growth of Fort Bragg and the settlement of many veterans and their families in the area. Growth will always have its growing pains. With the right policies, the area will be able to again adapt and use this new growth to its advantage.

We must hold our elected officials accountable for their policy decisions. Congress will be making crucial decisions about appropriations soon. To make your voice heard, contact your Congressperson by calling the capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121.

The list below contains the members of Congress in the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. Contact these individuals as well as your Congress person to have the greatest influence on impact aid.

Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies

MAJORITY
Chair: Dave Obey (WI)
Nita M. Lowey (NY)
Rosa L. DeLauro (CT)
Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. (IL)
Patrick J. Kennedy (RI)
Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA)
Barbara Lee (CA)
Tom Udall (NM)
Michael Honda (CA)
Betty McCollum (MN)
Tim Ryan (OH)

MINORITY
Ranking Member: James T. Walsh (NY)
Ralph Regula (OH)
John E. Peterson (PA)
Dave Weldon (FL)
Michael K. Simpson (ID)
Dennis R. Rehberg (MT)
Jerry Lewis (CA), Ex Officio