Adult, Youth and Dislocated Workers Funding Cuts

Legislation on the House floor being debated this week to zero-out all new funding for Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Adult, Youth and Dislocated Workers formula grant programs until July, 2012. If this proposal becomes law, states would not receive their July, 2011 allotment and their advance appropriations in October, 2011. Please write your Congressional delegation urging their opposition to this draconian proposal.

Background
On February 11, 2011, the House Committee on Appropriations released a comprehensive list of spending cuts. These spending cuts are contained in H.R. 1, legislation to fund all Federal Agencies and Departments, other than Defense, until September 30, 2011, the end of the current fiscal year. It would do the following:

1. H.R. 1 would eliminate all new funding for WIA Adult, Youth and Dislocated Workers formula grants in program year 2011 (July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012).

2. H.R. 1 would eliminate funding states normally receive on July 1 (the beginning of the new Program Year) and eliminate the "Advance Appropriation" states normally receive on October 1 (the beginning of the 2012 Fiscal Year).

3. H.R. 1 would rescind $100 million in unobligated balances from the Dislocated Workers Assistance National Reserve for 2010 and rescind $65 million from Dislocated Workers Assistance State Grants. ($10 million would be rescinded for evaluation).

What You Can Do:
I encourage you to contact your Congressional delegation expressing opposition. Your message can be as follows:
• All funding for the Workforce Investment Act (Youth, Adult and Dislocated Worker programs) would be eliminated for Program Year 2011, threatening the existence of the publicly-funded workforce system.
• With the national unemployment rate still hovering around 9% and youth unemployment rates at an astounding 26.3% for youth ages 16-19 and 16.3% for youth ages 20-24, cuts to critical job training, education and skills programs only serve to further devastate efforts to put Americans, of all ages, back to work.
• Skill development and training is needed now more than ever! After the Great Recession, employers are beginning to hire workers, but often say they are unable to find workers with the appropriate skills match. Eliminating these programs will worsen this problem.
• Highlight the value of WIA programs in your state with specific examples.