NWA
PROTECTS
...WIA
FUNDING...
Yesterday, the
House passed a year long continuing resolution (which appropriators
refer to as a “joint funding resolution”) 286-140. The Senate is
expected to take the bill up the week of February 12th, with
completion expected before the current CR expires on February 15th.
The joint funding resolution will last through September
30th.
Throughout this
past year, we have been focused on protecting core program funding
for WIA, as well as ensuring the proposed House WIA rescission was
not included in the final FY 07 bill. Our efforts intensified after
Democrats regained the majority in Congress, declaring that they
would take the unprecedented step of passing a year long funding
resolution, as only two of eleven appropriations bills were
completed under Republican control.
The
continuation of funding at current levels was not a guarantee.
Appropriators chose to adjust funding levels to the programs in the
Labor-HHS and other accounts, and this approach resulted in a
variety of programs being cut in the joint funding
resolution.
However, the
joint funding resolution provided good news for the workforce
system. WIA funding was protected in the joint funding resolution at
current funding levels for the formula programs with no rescission
(please see the attached
chart). This was particularly good news, as all proposed
rescissions, including the House WIA rescission, were on the table
during final negotiations. Appropriators chose to exclude WIA from
these cuts.
We worked
throughout the year to rebut the Administration’s claim that there
is over $1 billion in WIA carryover, allowing the House rescission
to be taken without impacting services. Our effort not only included
engaging Appropriators, but also the Authorizing Committees charged
with reauthorizing WIA, to rebut these claims. We are very grateful
to have earned their support.
In response to
concerns from the field about the Department of Labor’s proposed
regulatory changes to WIA, we worked again with the Authorizers,
Appropriators, and our friends in the labor movement to prevent
these regulations from being implemented. The language in the joint
funding resolution now includes a provision to protect the workforce
system from any future DOL regulations before WIA is reauthorized.
It also enforces our previous riders against changes to the
definition of administrative costs or redesignation of local
areas.
This provision
was inserted despite a strong objection from the Administration,
which used supportive Governors to lobby Appropriators to prevent
its inclusion. The Administration also highlighted its opposition to
the provision in its Statement of Administration Policy (SAP) on the
joint funding resolution, a letter to Congress that outlines the
Administration’s key issues in the bill and rarely includes
Department of Labor issues.
Although the
proposed WIA regulations have been blocked, a number of
organizations are still choosing to submit comments to the
Department. NWA will also be submitting comments to ensure our voice
is heard.
Our next
funding fight will begin on Monday, as the President will submit his
FY 08 budget request to Congress on Monday. We expect the
Administration to propose huge budget cuts for WIA again this year,
just as they have done the past few years. We are grateful that
Congress rejected the Administration’s proposed $700 million cut to
WIA this past year. We will work with the new Democratic Congress
through the budget and appropriations process to ensure that the
workforce system is protected once again.
Act Now and
Register for the 6th Annual NWA Conference!
Registration is
now open for NWA’s 6th Annual Legislative Conference in St.
Petersburg, FL. This year our conference will be held at the Vinoy
Renaissance Hotel, from December 1-4, 2007. The cornerstone
of the NWA Annual Conference is our connection to Members of
Congress. It is during NWA’s legislative conference that
knowledgeable and involved speakers and personalities will focus on
the issues that mean the most to our attendees and local workforce
directors. It is also at this conference that NWA members come
together to share current achievements and struggles, interact and
network and elect new officers at our board meeting. Most
importantly, it is at this conference that the NWA President and the
CEO lay out the goals of the association for the upcoming year.
Please act now and reg
ister for NWA’s 6th Annual Legislative Conference and ensure
your place at this very important event.
NWA Offers
Legislative Briefings for Local Workforce
Boards
The National
Workforce Association (NWA) is pleased to announce the availability
of specially designed legislative briefing sessions to help state
and local workforce agencies develop effective educational programs,
strengthen outreach to local and state elected officials, broaden
the appeal for your local workforce agenda, successfully communicate
the achievements of your local One-Stop operations, and strengthen
your responsiveness to the workforce development
community.
These
legislative sessions will be customized to meet your local areas
needs and give you a better understanding about the role your member
of Congress plays in the Workforce Development system here in
Washington. Each legislative briefing will provide practical steps
that will be designed to forward the work being accomplished by your
state and local workforce director, WIB members, staff and partners,
One-Stop managers and contractors, state workforce associations,
local economic development representatives, and local elected
officials. Through the presentation of the legislative briefing
sessions, NWA has been very successful in bringing the necessary
attention to the workforce development issue. These sessions support
the continuous improvement of the system and will aid you in your
understanding of the WIA Reauthorization process. To see details
about the next special session click
here, or call 202 842-4004 Ext. 232.
