National One-Stop Month - May 2008

(Congressional District Work Period - the Week of May 23, until June 3, 2008)

There are many challenges facing workforce investment in the upcoming year with reauthorization and financial crisis looming.  One of the biggest is establishing the workforce investment system’s identity and value with our congressional leaders.  We believe the best way to do this is to have Congressional Members visit your local One Stop Centers.  There is a tremendous impact when a member can see for himself or herself the wonderful service a One Stop provides to the citizens and businesses in their community. 

A good time to hold these visits is during the “Congressional District Work Period” starts May 23, until June 3, 2008, when the members are back in their districts.  The National Workforce Association (NWA) has compiled this guide with information about contacting Congressional members, as well as information from presentations by media and lobbying experts. Also included in this guide is useful information from other local workforce areas in Texas, New York and Florida, who talk about how they sponsored successful Congressional visits in the past.  These are suggestions only, but we believe with good planning and preparation, you can host a highly successful visit with your Congressional Members.  If NWA can be of any assistance to you in your planning, please call us at (202) 842-4004 or e-mail info@nwaonline.org.

What's New... Comes from NWA!

While you are meeting with your Member of Congress!

Background: Budget and Appropriations

• Once again the Bush Administration has resurrected the Career Advancement Accounts proposal.  This time the Administration calls for a new $2.83 billion CAA block grant.  This new proposal would replace the existing Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth formula grant programs along with the Employment Service.

• The Administration consolidated funding stream would allow Governors greater flexibility to redesign or eliminate the local workforce system.

• All told, the President’s budget would cut WIA spending by $484 million, including $438 million to formula programs.
  
  
  • Adult Training Grant cut $137 million
  • Dislocated Worker Job Training Grant cut $223 million
  • Youth Training  cut $83.6 million

• No additional rescission was requested.

• The House and Senate Budget Committees may begin drafting their FY 2009 budget plan the week of March 4^th.  House and Senate floor consideration is likely the week of March 10^th.

Domestic spending in FY 2009, at least in the short term, is expected to be tight.  We expect Labor HHS Appropriators Subcommittee Chairmen Obey and Harkin to once again initially protect WIA funding. However, for a funding strapped Appropriations Bill, WIA may provide a tempting target.

Click here for the full set of Hill Talking Points for 2008 - NWA 08 Talking Points Also ask you private sector board members to send Congress the attached letter this week!  NWA 2008 Letter to Congress