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November 15, 2005
IMMEDIATE WIA REAUTHORIZATION ACTION NEEDED:Background: Senate HELP Committee leaders would still like to bring S. 1021, the Workforce Investment Act Amendments of 2005, to the floor of the Senate this year, if possible. In order to move the bill in this calendar year, there would have to be an agreement to pass S. 1021 as reported by the Senate HELP Committee, with no major amendments. Currently, The National Governors' Association is actively seeking, with the support of the Bush Administration and Senator Sessions (R-AL), an amendment that would shift authority for the WIA system from a locally-based, business-led system to one dominated by the states. The amendment includes broad-based waiver authority that would allow states to waive nearly all requirements of WIA, the Wagner-Peyser Act, and the Adult Education Act, including any requirements for the establishment of local workforce areas and local boards. (For a copy of the amendment, click here …) NAWB continues to oppose the reopening of the issue of an expanded
waiver authority or “super-waiver” for Governors. This proposed amendment
would, in effect, do just that. NAWB MEMBER Action Needed:It is essential that all U.S. Senators hear from local workforce boards immediately urging the passage of S. 1021 as reported, i.e., with no amendments. It is vital that WIBs weigh in on the importance of building upon the locally-based, business-led workforce system if we are to meet the skill requirements of U.S. workers and employers. While Congress is expected to return in early December, it is critical that all Senators hear from local workforce boards, especially from the private-sector WIB chairs, this week before the Thanksgiving break! Have your WIB Chair call your Senator’s office and ask to speak with the person who handles workforce (or job training) issues -- or write a letter and fax it to the Washington office. Use NAWB’s Cap-Wiz resource to find your Senator’s Washington contact information, go to www.nawb.org. and click on Advocacy Central. Message points: If you have any comments or questions, contact NAWB CEO Stephanie
Powers at: powerss@nawb.org
National Association of Workforce Boards
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