 An email bulletin on national issues, exclusively for NAWB
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Appropriations and Budget ResolutionsThe Senate gave final approval today to a $108.9 billion FY 2006 emergency supplemental spending bill on a 78-20 vote and named its conference negotiators. By all measures, it is shaping up to be a difficult conference with the House. The Senate bill funds operations in Iraq and Afghanistan ($65.7 billion); $28.9 billion for rebuilding needs in the Gulf Coast; $4.5 billion in foreign aid to Iraq, Iran, Sudan and other nations; $2.6 billion for security along the U.S.-Mexico border and port security; $2.6 billion to prepare for a possible pandemic flu outbreak; $3.9 billion in farm aid for drought, frost, floods and other disasters; and, $35.6 million for mine safety. It is anticipated that gaining quick agreement with the House will be difficult, even though the Pentagon is pressuring for passage before Congress adjourns for the Memorial Day recess (May 29 – June 2). President Bush has threatened a veto if the final bill has a price tag more than $94.5 billion. Two amendments relevant to the workforce investment system were added to the supplemental measure: On the House side, GOP leaders continue talks on the FY 2007 budget resolution in a final attempt to pass it. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jerry Lewis (R-CA) is planning to transfer approximately $6 billion from proposed increases in defense and foreign aid to ease the crunch on domestic programs and to placate moderates. House GOP leaders hope the shift will help free up votes for the languishing FY 2007 Budget. The money would be used in part to erase almost $4 billion in cuts proposed for programs funded under the FY2007 Labor-HHS measure. This move would bring total spending in the measure to about where it was in FY 2006, before GOP leaders applied a 1% across-the-board cut at the end of last year. Nominations Sought for Programs that Expand College Access for Hispanic Immigrant EmployeesThe Lumina Foundation for Education recently awarded a grant to Corporation for a Skilled Workforce (CSW) and its partners to identify what works in expanding college access for Hispanic immigrant employees. The study will focus on partnerships between colleges and manufacturers that encourage enrollment and completion in certificate or degree programs. This team—comprising the Center for Workforce Success (National Association of Manufacturers), Excelencia in Education, National Council for Workforce Education, and CSW—is seeking nominations of outstanding programs from workforce and economic agencies, manufacturers, colleges, community organizations and interested individuals. Nominations can be made at http://www.skilledwork.org/hispanicaccess. For more information on this initiative, contact Mary Gershwin at (303) 322-8190 or email marygershwin@comcast.net.
AARP Launches Forum Series on the Demographic Shifts and Trends of the 50+ WorkforceAARP hosted its first of a series of forums focused on stimulating debate with key workforce stakeholders on the demographic shifts and trends of the 50+ workforce in New York City on April 19th. How the baby-boom generation will transform the healthcare, technology, housing, political, and entertainment arenas as they age will be the focus of future Forums to be held around the country. For more information about these Forums, contact AARP at 1-888-687-2277.
Responding to BRACThe Economic Development Administration (EDA), in cooperation with the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and the National Association of Regional Councils, is sponsoring a telecast on Community Economic Development to Support Growth. The telecast, to be shown on Tuesday, May 10th, 3:00pm– 4:00 pm EDT, will feature examples from communities that previously managed growth issues relative to military installations that have received new missions, troop units, and significant numbers of additional defense personnel. Click here to register online http://www.narc.org/pubs/main/Telecasts.cfm or you may fax your registration form to (202) 986-1038. A hardcopy of the registration form can be downloaded from http://www.iedconline.org/Downloads/EDA_Telecast_Registration.pdf. For further information, contact Peggy Tadej at (202) 986-1032, ext. 224.
Building the Broadband Economy 2006 Conference in NYCBuilding the Broadband Economy 2006 is scheduled for June 8th– 9th in New York City. This conference will explore how innovative communities can take advantage of a connected world to create jobs, spur business growth, an empower citizens. Featured speakers include James Balsillie, Chairman of Research in Motion, William Eggers, Global Director of Deloitte Research and author of Government 2.0 and Ying-jeou Ma, Mayor of Taipei, to name a few. NAWB CEO Stephanie Powers will facilitate an international panel discussion on workforce development. That panel will include Joe Carbone, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Workplace, Inc. (Bridgeport, CT), and Rob Walsh, the NYC Commissioner for Small Business Development. NAWB members receive a discounted registration. Click here for more details http://www.intelligentcommunity.org. Helpful Resources
Gates Foundation Report on High School Dropout RateA recent poll conducted by Time magazine and The Oprah Winfrey Show revealed that 89% of Americans think the high-school dropout rate in the U.S. is an “extremely serious” or “somewhat serious problem.” This coverage stemmed from a report funded by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation titled “The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts.” See a copy of the Time magazine article at http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1183359,00.html or a full copy of the report is available on The Gates Foundation’s website http://www.gatesfoundation.com/nr/downloads/ed/TheSilentEpidemic3-06FINAL.pdf.
Integrating Immigrants in the WorkplaceFunded by The Joyce Foundation, The Institute for Work and the Economy recently developed a “roadmap” to help community programs integrate immigrants into the workforce. The Institute is offering technical assistance and strategic planning support to communities that are interested in the opportunities offered by the immigrants that are now becoming a major part of their workforce. A copy of the roadmap is available at www.workandeconomy.org. For more information, contact Peter Creticos at (630) 990-8040 or email creticos@niu.edu.
State News
Washington State Releases Global Competitiveness RecommendationsGovernor Christine O. Gregoire’s Global Competitiveness Council recently released a report titled “Rising to the Challenge of Global Competition.” This report summarizes the findings, observations, and recommendations from the Council, which comprises 46 industry, utility, political, research, educational, and civic leaders for the state. The group identified 27 recommendations for strengthening the State of Washington’s position in the global economy. This report is available at: http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/global_competion_.pdf. |
Vol VI Issue 9 IN THIS ISSUE:
 Remember to go to CapWiz to see if your Senators voted in favor of the Specter-Harkin Amendment. Thank them for their support and urge them to continue supporting the restoration of funding for the Workforce Investment Act and Employment Services during the upcoming appropriations deliberations.
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