Comments on: Save Science Funding http://leapology.com/2009/02/06/save-science-funding/ News of the Future, Today Sun, 01 Aug 2010 04:13:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Tierney http://leapology.com/2009/02/06/save-science-funding/#comment-16 Tierney Sun, 08 Feb 2009 15:35:39 +0000 http://leapology.com/?p=197#comment-16 So far so good. The compromise agreed upon included some cuts, but they were DRASTICALLY reduced from the initial plan. At least $3 Billion in science funding was saved yesterday (with $6.6 Billion total still in the bill. These numbers will hopefully survive until the planned vote on Monday. Thanks to everyone who contacted their senator. So far so good. The compromise agreed upon included some cuts, but they were DRASTICALLY reduced from the initial plan. At least $3 Billion in science funding was saved yesterday (with $6.6 Billion total still in the bill. These numbers will hopefully survive until the planned vote on Monday. Thanks to everyone who contacted their senator.

]]> By: Tierney http://leapology.com/2009/02/06/save-science-funding/#comment-15 Tierney Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:45:56 +0000 http://leapology.com/?p=197#comment-15 Here's a follow up message from Shawn Otto: Several people have emailed suggestions I will share with everyone: 1. WHAT TO DO: call and email your two U.S. senators. Contact from a constituent on a wonky issue like this will have enormous influence. Calling is better than email, but do both if you can. Go here to find your Senator, and select your state in the drop down box in the upper right hand corner: http://www.senate.gov/ Tell them in your own words to reject the reduction effort in the stimulus bill led by Senators Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Susan Collins (R-ME) when it comes to science. Note that most Senator's web pages contain a form (e.g. - CONTACT ME) that you can fill out to contact the Senator. Also, use your own words since identical messages get rejected by the Senators' staff. You can adapt language from my previous email or from below, but be sure to personalize it. 2. TALKING POINTS: A) Science & technology have produced half of the economic growth of the United States since WWII. B) Spending on basic research is the single greatest economic engine this country has ever known. C) Funding to federal granting agencies is about as "shovel-ready" a stimulus as you can get. If the granting agencies lower their score thresholds for awards across the board the money will be flowing within months, leading to rapid hiring and increased purchasing from technical service and supply companies that are largely American, and creating thousands of the kinds of high-quality jobs the country needs. Here’s a follow up message from Shawn Otto:

Several people have emailed suggestions I will share with everyone:

1. WHAT TO DO: call and email your two U.S. senators. Contact from a constituent on a wonky issue like this will have enormous influence. Calling is better than email, but do both if you can.

Go here to find your Senator, and select your state in the drop down box in the upper right hand corner:
http://www.senate.gov/

Tell them in your own words to reject the reduction
effort in the stimulus bill led by Senators Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Susan Collins (R-ME) when it comes to science.

Note that most Senator’s web pages contain a form (e.g. - CONTACT ME) that you can fill out to contact the Senator. Also, use your own words since identical
messages get rejected by the Senators’ staff. You can adapt language from my previous email or from below, but be sure to personalize it.

2. TALKING POINTS:

A) Science & technology have produced half of the economic growth of the United States since WWII.

B) Spending on basic research is the single greatest economic engine this country has ever known.

C) Funding to federal granting agencies is about as “shovel-ready” a stimulus as you can get. If the granting agencies lower their score thresholds for awards across the board the money will be flowing within months, leading to rapid hiring and increased purchasing from technical service and supply companies that are largely American, and creating thousands of the kinds of high-quality jobs the country needs.

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