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Dear Friends,
The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to pass a continuing resolution (HR1) by the end of this week that includes nearly $3.8 billion in cuts to job training programs in FY2011, the current federal fiscal year.
These cuts decimate the workforce development system, eliminating funding for the following programs and services after June 30, 2011:
- Workforce Investment Act
- Youthbuild
- Green Jobs Innovation Fund
- Career Pathways Innovation Fund
- Re-integration of Ex-offenders program
- Senior Community Service Employment Program
- Dislocated Worker Assistance State Grants
- Dislocated Worker Assistance National Reserve
In addition, the House has proposed reducing the maximum eligible Pell Grant from the current $5,550 to $4,705.
The Senate leadership has suggested they will not take up the House CR, and President Obama has issued a veto threat against the bill.
Support from the Senate will be key to retaining our public workforce system in any final appropriations bill or CR.
Please call U.S. Senator Scott Brown today at (617) 565-3170 and ask him to support funding for these critical workforce services for businesses and individuals in the Commonwealth.
Suggested talking points:
- I am calling to urge you to vote NO on any proposal to eliminate funding for the US Department of Labor's job training programs, in particular the Workforce Investment Act.
- In this time of high unemployment, shutting down career centers that provide the first point of connection back to the labor force does not make sense.
- Businesses in MA are starting to grow again, and many are hiring but cannot find people with the right skills to fill job openings. The WIA system served nearly 13,000 businesses in 2010 alone, and making sure we have a skilled workforce is a critical part of supporting business growth in the Commonwealth.
- Unlike HR1, which kills jobs, supporting job training will help businesses create and fill jobs and open doors for people who want to get back to work.
We need you to call immediately. The current continuing resolution for FY2011 spending expires on March 4, and the House and Senate need to reach agreement on a course of action before then.
Thank you for your efforts!
Sincerely,
Loh-Sze Leung
Director
SkillWorks: Partners for a Productive Workforce |
