State budget debate is in full-swing. Your help is needed to preserve critical workforce programs
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your advocacy over the past few weeks. Your voices have made a difference, helping to reduce the proposed level of federal cuts directed at workforce development from $3.8 billion to $1 billion.
Now we need your help on getting some key state workforce training programs funded.
This week, the Massachusetts State Senate is debating and voting on budget amendments.
Please call your Senator and ask him or her to vote in favor of the following amendments:
Amendment 555 :Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund (7002-1074),a key component of the Middle Skills Solutions Act, would appropriate $8 million from to the WCTF to support employer-led training partnerships, aligned to the Commonwealth's economic development strategy. Filed by Sen. Donnelly; co-sponsors Senators DiDomenico and Eldridge.
Amendment 241: One-Stop Career Centers, restores $500,000 removed in the House budget to bring total back up to $4,994,967. Filed by Senators Wolf, McGee and Spilka and Knapik.
Amendments to School to Career Connecting Activities (7027-0019), to restore $800,000 to this in-school results-oriented effort which in 2010 placed 11,000 students in jobs and internships, with employers investing over $14.8 million in their wages.
- Amendment 275, filed by Senators Hart and DiDomenico.
- Amendment 341, filed by Senators Chang-Diaz, Rodrigues, and Spilka.
In early budget debate, the Senate voted to approve $3 million for Jobs for At-risk Youth.
Amendment 3 to increase the budget by $3 million in support of jobs for at-risk youth passed by a vote of 36-1 on Wednesday morning. Congratulations to all the youth and those in the workforce community who have made the compelling case for these funds!
Sincerely,
Loh-Sze Leung
Director, SkillWorks: Partners for a Productive Workforce
Sue Parsons,
Director, Workforce Solutions Group
