Committee introduces plan to reform the workforce investment system

This week, members of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce introduced a comprehensive proposal to reform the nation’s network of job training programs. H.R. 4297, the Workforce Investment Improvement Act of 2012 (bill text / summary), consolidates more than 20 programs into one flexible Workforce Investment Fund, helping to provide a more streamlined system for workers and job seekers to find the employment support they need. The proposal builds on previous legislative efforts by Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), and Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV).

Ryan's budget cuts low-income programs

[from Off the Charts] Most of the cuts in House Budget Committee Paul Ryan’s new budget would come from programs serving lower-income Americans, a new CBPP report finds.  Here’s the opening:

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan’s budget plan would get at least 62 percent of its $5.3 trillion in nondefense budget cuts over ten years (relative to a continuation of current policies) from programs that serve people of limited means.  This stands a core principle of President Obama’s fiscal commission on its head and violates basic principles of fairness.

Not much has changed on this front from Chairman Ryan’s fiscal year 2012 budget plan released a year ago.  Then, too, Chairman Ryan proposed massive spending cuts, the bulk of which were in programs that serve low- and moderate-income Americans.  (Compared with last year’s plan, the cuts in low-income programs are larger in dollar terms but slightly smaller as a share of the total cuts.)

Click here for the full report.

Sec. Solis to discuss DOL's 2013 budget

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Wednesday, March 21 at 10:00 a.m., the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce, chaired by Rep. John Kline (R-MN), will hold a hearing entitled “Reviewing the President’s Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Proposal for the U.S. Department of Labor.” The hearing will take place in room 2175 of the Rayburn House Office Building. 

In his Fiscal Year 2013 budget proposal, President Obama requests $12 billion in discretionary spending for the Department of Labor, including $2.6 billion to administer the Workforce Investment Act and $565 million for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The policies of the department govern the workplaces of an estimated 10 million employers and 125 million workers. As a result of this broad authority, a number of proposed regulatory changes could have significant impact on job creators at a time of persistently high unemployment.


Wednesday’s hearing will provide members an opportunity to examine and discuss the fiscal and policy priorities of the department. To learn more about this hearing, visit www.edworkforce.house.gov/hearings.

President's new job training plan

The President’s Commitment to Get Displaced Workers Back to Work inHigh-Demand and High-Growth Industries

Universal Displaced Worker Program.  The Universal Displaced Worker Program in the President’s Budget will help provide displaced workers, who lose their job when their employer closes down or eliminates their position or doesn’t have enough business to keep them employed, with the skills and reemployment services they need through a universal suite of services.

• Reemployment services for every displaced worker:  Every displaced worker will receive proven job-search assistance to provide everything from work-search plans to assessing skills to determining whether and what kind of training makes sense. 

• $4,000 training awards:  Displaced workers will be eligible for training awards of up to $4,000 per year for up to two years. This funding ensures that workers who need to pursue longer-term training in technical fields to learn skills for new industries can do so.    Workers would be referred to training based on assessments at localAmerican Job Centers.

• Support to pursue training or look for work:  To ensure that workers have the support they need while pursuing training, the program would provide a weekly stipend for childcare, transportation and other expenses of $150, ranging up to $300 for low-income workers, for up to 78 weeks, in addition to 26 weeks of UI benefits, .  To assist with relocating for job opportunities in other cities and states, and to supplement their job-search, the program would provide workers job search and relocation allowances of up to $1,250 each.

• Wage insurance for older workers:   To support older workers returning to work, eligible workers age 50 or older who obtain new, full-time employment at wages of less than $50,000 may receive wage insurance for up to two years to partially offset earnings losses in new jobs that pay less than their previous jobs.  

• Investing in Proven and Effective Training:  To build accountability into our training system and ensure that that workers are directed to the most effective training in high-growth fields, the President’s proposal will include:  increased investment in counseling and case management services to give participants better information about training programs that are effective and have good track records; incentives and performance standards for both participants and training providers; and robust evaluation of what works.

American Job Center Network. Every person seeking job assistance or business looking for skilled workers should be able to physically or virtually reach an American Job Center and tap into the nation-wide, Federally-funded system of job search assistance and information, training, and other supports.

• Universal Access: State and local one-stop career centers are part of a national network of service providers for workers and businesses.  Each year, more than 30 million individuals already tap into existing workforce system resources, but there are millions more who could benefit from being able to reliably find the services they need to succeed in today’s economy. As a result of this rebranding and outreach effort, every person will be able to access an online tool or a 1-800 number through which they can access upgraded and personalized services; will have access to the American Job Center network near where they live; and will be able to access in-person consultation services and job search assistance.  The Administration will build on its partnerships with state and federal agencies, libraries, community colleges, and community organizations to ensure broad access in all parts of the country. 

• Online American Job Center: In the coming months, the Administration will also unveil a new, integrated online American Job Center at JobCenter.USA.gov which will provide a single point of access to resources oriented to the needs of an individual or business. This online tool will mean 24-7 access to key information to help people find a job, identify training programs, and tap into resources to gain skills in growth industries. The website, which will incorporate information from key federal programs and critical local resources, will also serve a resource for the brick-and-mortar Job Centers throughout the country.

• Further Proposed Investments: The President’s Budget also proposes a $50 million investment to further expand connections to the American Job Center network. This includes expansion of Center satellite programs and virtual centers in public housing, schools, libraries, and community colleges, plus the addition of mobile centers. This effort would also support greater co-location and coordination of services that Americans need to find work and access training.

Casey Introduces Working Families Flexibility Act

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) today introduced the Working Families Flexibility Act which will ensure that working Americans can ask their employer for modified schedules so they can balance the demands of their jobs and their home life.

“In the current economic environment, it is increasingly difficult for Pennsylvanians to balance the demands of work and family,” said Senator Casey. “This bill will help businesses benefit from more productive employees and empower workers with the knowledge of what arrangements are possible to accommodate their family life.”

“It’s time for employers and the government to recognize the 21st Century needs of families -- to help raise kids or care for aging parents -- more effectively," Rep. Maloney said. "Flexible work arrangements are a win-win for employers and employees. Workplace flexibility has been shown to help businesses retain good workers and help employees juggle the demands of the way we live now."”

The Working Families Flexibility Act will allow employers and employees to engage in constructive dialogue over modifying where and when employees work so they can find the best solutions to the work-life challenges they face. 

This legislation builds on strategies used by the most successful companies, which have realized that happy employees tend to be more productive employees. 

Under the legislation, an employee may request to modify his or her hours, schedule, or work location. Employees who make requests are protected from retaliation, and employers who deny a request must explain the grounds for denial

ACE Act from Representative Thompson

Washington, D.C. – The All Children are Equal (ACE) Act, a bill introduced by U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson in July of 2011, today was praised during a hearing in the House Education and Workforce Committee that examined two pieces of legislation – H.R. 3989, "Student Success Act" and H.R. 3990, "Encouraging Innovation and Effective Teachers Act" – which will serve as the basis to reform the current Elementary and Secondary Education Act, also known as No Child Left Behind.  The hearing was the Education and Workforce Committee’s 12th oversight hearing, exploring better ways forward for our nation’s elementary and secondary schools.  

Hearing Witness, Mr. Jimmy Cunningham, superintendent of Hampton School District in Hampton, Arkansas, spoke to concerns with the current Title I formula, which adversely affects small districts, both rural and urban, and inflates benefits to low‐poverty districts – counter to the intent of current law. 

Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act is the largest source of federal funding to the states and aims to improve the achievement of disadvantaged children.  It is the largest sources of federal funds contributed to school districts. 

H.R. 3989 and H.R. 3990 were introduced in the last week by the House Education and Workforce Committee.  Thursday’s hearing allowed members an opportunity to examine and obtain feedback on the legislation.  

To view the full a copy of Superintendent Jimmy Cunningham’s testimony, click here.

To view the text of the American Farm Bureau Federation statement of support, click here.

KOZ Legislation moves forward

HARRISBURG – Legislation authored by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9) to strengthen Pennsylvania's Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) program, Senate Bill 1237, has been sent to Governor Tom Corbett for his signature.

KOZs, which provide tax benefits to companies which create jobs in designated zones, have been used in Pennsylvania since 1999. Business Facilities magazine has called KOZs "the number one economic development strategy in the nation." 

Governor Corbett supports the legislation and is expected to sign it. SB 1237 authorizes the creation of up to 15 new zones, known as Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zones (KOEZs). As with existing KOZs, the tax benefits in KOEZs will be available for 10 years and all new zones must be approved by local governments and school boards.

For businesses which invest at least $1 billion and create at least 400 jobs within seven years, the tax benefits will be extended to 15 years.

The legislation also increases oversight powers and responsibilities for the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). DCED will be required to monitor job creation and retention data, information on what types of jobs are created, the average hourly wages, and more. More here.