 An email bulletin on national issues, exclusively for NAWB
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Budget Resolution UpdateDespite attempts during the week to address the concerns of both conservative and moderate House members, the GOP leadership could not garner enough votes for passage of the budget resolution. So House Republican leaders made a decision yesterday to break for the April recess without taking the budget resolution to the House floor. Although the Republican leadership says it will make another attempt after the April recess, insiders consider passage an unlikely scenario. Even if a budget resolution could be passed in the House, April 15th is the statutory deadline for a House-Senate budget resolution conference agreement. Among the contentious issues that came into play during the budget discussions were: House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) has indicated that he will try to negotiate a compromise budget resolution after the April recess. Higher EducationLast week, the House passed a bill reauthorizing higher education student assistance programs on a largely partisan vote. Democrats said that the bill does not do enough to make college affordable and available and had offered a substitute bill that was defeated. As passed, H.R. 609, the College Access and Opportunity Act, allows students to receive Pell grant aid year-round, and repeals a federal rule that limits the amount of Pell Grant Aid to students attending very low-cost schools. It also includes measures to provide parents and students with more information about colleges and college costs. The bill also provides for extra Pell Grant aid for first- and second-year students who do well in college, and limits Pell Grant eligibility to 18 semesters or 27 quarters. Further, it includes provisions to encourage more students to pursue science, math, and engineering degrees. For more information, see http://edworkforce.house.gov/press/press109/second/03mar/hea033006.htm and http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ed31_democrats/pr_060330.html. Special Events Conference on Disaster Recovery to be Held May 16-17, 2006, in New OrleansRestoration 2006: Community and Economic Recovery after a Disaster is a new conference focused on long-term and sustainable community and economic recovery in the aftermath of a natural or man-made disaster. Organizers include the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), the National League of Cities (NLC), and the National Association of Counties (NACO). The conference will feature recovery partnerships, leading practice case studies, and other educational sessions designed to foster new networks for local government officials, nonprofit organizations, business and industry leaders, and other community stakeholders working toward a new future. For more information, see http://www.restoration2006.org/en/Article.22.aspx.
Keynote Speaker Announced for Building the Broadband Economy 2006James Balsillie, Chairman of Research in Motion (creator of the Blackberry), will be a keynote speaker at Building the Broadband Economy 2006, to be held 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, and empower citizens. NAWB members receive a discounted registration – click here to register. For more information on conference speakers and workshops, see http://www.intelligentcommunity.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=89. New Publications
Financial Support for Public Colleges DeclinesA recent item in the SSTI Weekly Digest, referencing the newly-released report titled State Higher Education Finance FY 2005, states that “(a)t the same time civic and corporate leaders around the country are calling for more high school students to pursue a college education, and specifically science, technology and math degrees, the student’s share of the cost for higher education is climbing to record highs. Despite an appropriations increase of 3.5 percent in fiscal year 2005, constant dollar per student state and local funding for public colleges and universities was at the lowest point in 25 years.” To see an Executive Summary of the report prepared by the Association of State Higher Education Executive Officers, see www.sheeo.org.
OECD Releases Guide to Successful PartnershipsThe Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) announces the publication of Successful Partnerships – A Guide, available at OECD’s LEED (Local Economic and Employment Development) web page at http://www.oecd.org/cfe/leed/forum/partnerships. The document contains a Partnership Checklist, and other information on concrete aspects of partnership work, such as communication, roles and functions within partnerships, the funding of partnerships and legal aspects. The Guide draws lessons learned from some “case partnerships” and gives insights into partnerships’ monitoring and evaluation.
From the States
OklahomaUSDOL Announces $1 Million Grant to Aid Dislocated Auto Industry Workers in OklahomaU.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced this week a $1 million National Emergency Grant to assist workers affected by plant closings at General Motors (GM) in Oklahoma City. The grant, awarded to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, will serve approximately 300 salaried GM workers and 700 affected workers from its supplier network. Resources available through the grant will prepare participants for new employment through an array of services including skills assessment, career counseling and career planning, education and skills training. Resources will also assist with relocation, out-of-area job search, and other related support services. For more information, see http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20060602.htm |
Vol VI Issue 7 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. Have you invited your Members of Congress to visit your One-Stop during the Congressional recesses? Members will be in their home districts April 10-21.
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