Competitive Workforce

Democrats want to create good-paying jobs here at home -- and to keep them here for generations to come.  The Committee will continue its work to address the issue of U.S. economic competitiveness in an increasingly tough global economy.

Key Legislation:
Local Jobs for America Act »
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act »
Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act (HR5140) »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With states and municipalities facing more potential layoffs amidst budget squeezes, today House Democrats and a bipartisan group of mayors announced new legislation to create one million public and private sector jobs in local communities. (Listen to the audio of the press conference call introducing the legislation here.)

The Local Jobs for America Act, authored by U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), will save and create jobs quickly in both the public and private sectors and help restore vital services that families and local communities rely on. The financial collapse is forcing states and municipalities to cut jobs that are critically important to local communities – teachers, police, firefighters, childcare workers, and others.

Local Jobs for America Act: Invests Billions in Restoring & Creating Jobs

$75 billion for 750,000 jobs providing needed local services

$52.5 billion directly to communities with at least 50,000 residents – Mayors, County Officials and Governors would submit a statement to the need for the specific positions to the Department of Labor. The department would then distribute funding to communities based on the Community Development Block Grant formula.

Half of the funding will go to positions that would be eliminated due to ongoing budget shortfalls. Up to 25 percent of the funding can go to non-profit community organizations that provide services not customarily provided by local government employees. The remaining 25 percent may be used for creation of new jobs in local government.

$22.5 billion directly to governors to distribute to communities with fewer than 50,000 residents – Job creation funding will sent to towns, counties, or private non-profits outside of those communities eligible for the funding above. Local governments will apply to the governor for the funding.

Like support to larger communities, half of the funding may be spent on retention of positions slated for elimination, up to 25 percent of the funding can go to non-profit community organizations that provide services not customarily provided by local government employees. The remaining 25 percent may be used for creation of new jobs in local government. The governor must fairly distribute the funding among congressional districts, in proportion to each district’s rural population.

Funds may only be used for compensation of full-time, full-year positions.  “Full-year” defined to include school year positions. Local governments may expand existing services or restore services cut in the past five years. Positions are federally funded for two years.

Jobs are regular government or local community organization jobs.
These jobs will be in pre-existing job titles, covered by union contracts, etc. Mayors and County Officials are not required to continue funding these positions once federal funding expires. Priority will be given to hire workers laid off from city positions, current unemployment insurance recipients and the long-term unemployed whose benefits have been exhausted.

$23 billion to help states support an estimated 250,000 education jobs; $1.18 billion to put 5,500 law enforcement officers on the beat; and $500 million to hire and retain fire fighters

These funds will be allocated by states to school districts and public institutions of higher education to retain or create jobs to provide educational services and to modernize, renovate, and repair public education facilities. Funding will be distributed the state fiscal stabilization fund formula as passed in the Recovery Act. States would then distribute funding to school districts based on each state’s education funding formula.

$500 million for approximately 50,000 additional on-the-job training positions slots to help private business expand employment


These funds will enable workers to acquire core job skills and important work experience for private employers.  Individuals will be able to earn a salary and learn a new job through the Workforce Investment Act.  Participants will gain core job skills and experience through training and close supervision by their employer.  

News of the Day: State and Local Budget Squeeze Sours Jobs Picture

CNNMoney notes today that state and local governments are facing a very difficult budget year. Faced with declining revenue, some local municipalities and states are looking to cut their workforce.

State and local governments are collectively the nation's biggest source of jobs, together employing almost 15 times as many Americans as Wal-Mart.

They added 2 million jobs over the past decade and helped to cushion the shock of the Great Recession by holding employment steady since the end of 2007, a time when the private sector was hemorrhaging 8.5 million jobs.

But another ugly state budget season is coming up, which will mean more belt-tightening for local governments -- and another source of pressure for an already anemic jobs market recovery.

...

Layoffs aren't the first choice of governments seeking to balance their budgets. A survey conducted late last year by the Center for State and Local Government Excellence found two-thirds of respondents had stopped hiring and almost as many had put a freeze on raises. Less than half had resorted to job cuts, however.

But the size of budget shortfalls is making cuts inevitable. A thousand state workers in South Carolina could lose their jobs if the legislature enacts a pending budget proposal, the Columbia State reported. Cutbacks are pending in Virginia, Georgia and many other states.

To help state and local municipalities deal with some of these budget shortfalls, Chairman Miller along with other members of Congress and a bipartisan group of mayors introduced new legislation that will create up to one million public and private sector jobs. The financial collapse is forcing states and municipalities to cut jobs that are critically important to local communities – teachers, police, firefighters, childcare workers, and others – cuts that threaten to derail America’s economic recovery. The bill also contains innovative job creation strategies that will help hundreds of thousands of individuals get private sector jobs.

The bill, which was developed with mayors, county officials and others, will put a million people to work by restoring these services to local communities, in both public and private sector jobs.

Learn more about Chairman Miller's Local Jobs for America Act and watch Chairman Miller on CNBC explaining the importance of this bill.

Update: After the bill was rolled out, the Economic Policy Institute applauded the Local Jobs for America Act.

Local Jobs for America Act

Helping Local Communities Create A Million Public and Private Jobs

Our nation is going through one of the most difficult economic times in its history.  We must do everything to help create jobs for those who are strug­gling to support their families.  At the same time, the recession is forcing states and municipalities to cut jobs that are critically important – teachers, police, firefighters, childcare workers, and others. The Local Jobs for Amer­ica Act will provide our economy a shot in the arm by putting a million people to work by restoring these services in local communities.
 
The Local Jobs for America Act will create a million public and private jobs in local communities this year. 
 
Support will be targeted directly to states and municipalities with the greatest number of people out of work to restore important local services.
 
The Local Jobs for America Act will help ensure that local com­munities can still operate essential services.
 
Because of the recession, many local communities have cut back on education, public safety, childcare, health care, education and transporta­tion. As a result, families who rely on these services are suffering the cost of these cutbacks.
 
This bill will help prevent state and local tax increases. 
 
By supporting the services local communities deem most necessary, the bill will help local governments avoid having to choose between eliminat­ing services and raising taxes.
 
Creating local jobs will stimulate local businesses and create more jobs in the local economy.
 
By increasing employment in local communities, families will be able to start spending again at their neighborhood businesses and favorite restaurants. This will help spur additional jobs for local small businesses.
 
The Local Jobs for America Act will fund salaries for private sector on-the-job training to help local businesses put people back to work.
 
Specifically, the Local Jobs for America Act invests:

  • $75 billion over two years to local communities to hire vital staff
  • Funding for 50,000 on-the-job private-sector training positions

The bill also includes provisions already approved by the House:

  • $23 billion this year to help states support 250,000 education jobs
  • $1.18 billion to put 5,500 law enforcement officers on the beat
  • $500 million to retain, rehire, and hire firefighters
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee and a key architect of the education pieces of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, issued the following statement today on the law’s one-year anniversary:

50% of Republicans Agree: There’s an Act for That

This morning, Think Progress reported that 111 Congressional Republicans, including 90 House GOPers, are taking credit for and/or seeking American Recovery and Reinvestment Act benefits for their home districts after voting against ARRA one year ago.

One thing is clear, after a disastrous eight years and a near economic collapse, House Republicans and Democrats agree that There’s an Act for That.

One year ago today, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was enacted with the goal of keeping our recession from turning into a deeper Depression, and saving and creating jobs. A year later, it’s clear that the Recovery Act pulled our economy back from the brink of financial collapse, protected teachers, policemen, firefighters, and other vital workers from losing their jobs, and made strategic investments in education reforms and worker training that will help lay the groundwork for a long-term economic recovery. Newspapers from coast to coast have documented how the Recovery Act has helped students, workers and families:

Recovery Act Jobs: State-by-State

STATE FUNDS AWARDED RECIPIENT-REPORTED JOBS EDUCATION JOBS
Alabama $2,879,946,703 13,871 5,866
Alaska $1,599,388,595 1,596 268
Arizona $3,392,939,821 6,811 2,849
Arkansas $1,584,748,636 2,829 655
California $21,650,138,095 71,015 49,982
Colorado $3,229,978,450 9,407 3,900
Connecticut $1,851,708,850 7,048 3,975
Delaware $720,689,064 1,523 705
District of Columbia $3,044,036,584 3,719 661
Florida $9,094,185,017 34,966 24,055
Georgia $4,861,526,252 24,103 14,397
Hawaii $1,007,797,512 3,014 2,083
Idaho $1,858,250,061 6,160 4,057
Illinois $7,805,527,172 11,375 2,602
Indiana $4,153,669,041 15,278 12,046
Iowa $2,059,557,824 9,096 6,203
Kansas $1,565,844,902 6,561 3,883
Kentucky $2,511,040,050 10,677 7,381
Louisiana $2,515,219,042 11,322 7,023
Maine $889,318,291 2,182 336
Maryland $4,680,473,252 6,759 1,467
Massachusetts $4,713,047,794 9,261 3,215
Michigan $7,319,327,513 20,140 9,313
Minnesota $2,978,457,783 12,291 6,952
Mississippi $2,071,100,200 3,412 602
Missouri $3,390,575,173 16,074 11,462
Montana $1,162,870,408 4,121 1,579
Nebraska $1,079,872,241 3,849 1,703
Nevada $1,427,100,987 3,149 2,005
New Hampshire $824,716,551 1,295 261
New Jersey $4,582,612,624 21,512 15,907
New Mexico $2,223,479,041 4,582 2,373
New York $12,373,720,643 43,061 30,157
North Carolina $5,437,207,212 26,119 19,039
North Dakota $885,135,966 2,698 1,613
Ohio $6,445,027,536 24,705 11,881
Oklahoma $2,329,598,907 7,999 4,903
Oregon $2,241,634,383 9,657 5,623
Pennsylvania $6,816,672,122 12,238 2,661
Rhode Island $794,028,907 1,345 194
South Carolina $5,765,646,903 11,024 4,947
South Dakota $950,346,898 3,244 602
Tennessee $5,941,032,774 10,259 3,749
Texas $12,423,955,147 28,460 18,577
Utah $1,761,439,655 4,740 1,955
Vermont $624,753,124 1,624 294
Virginia $4,319,924,264 9,877 5,079
Washington $7,867,066,655 14,413 5,464
West Virginia $1,480,743,335 2,195 641
Wisconsin $2,948,665,736 10,316 4,338
Wyoming $562,557,420 851 18
       
TERRITORY FUNDS AWARDED RECIPIENT-REPORTED JOBS EDUCATION JOBS
Northern Mariana Islands $84,398,311 138 55
Puerto Rico $2,340,754,806 14,506  
       
TOTAL $199,662,327,231 599,108  

Note: “Funds Awarded” includes federal contract, grant, and loan awards for individual states and territories, as reported by prime recipients for the period February 17-December 31, 2009. “Recipient-Reported Jobs”covers the period October 1-December 31, 2009.
Source: recovery.gov 

“Education Jobs” are reported from the Department of Education for the period October 1-December 31, 2009, and include jobs such as teachers, principals, librarians, and counselors. Source: Department of Education
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, issued the following statement today after the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the nation’s unemployment rate fell from 10.0 percent in December to 9.7 in January.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis told the House Education and Labor Committee today that the U.S. Department of Labor is both helping the economy recover and improving American workers’ lives by strengthening basic workplace protections, and training workers for new and better jobs.

News of the Day: Obama stimulus reduced our pain, experts say

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Today, the USA Today has an exclusive quarterly survey of 50 economists that found:

President Obama's stimulus package saved jobs — but the government still needs to do more to breathe life into the economy."

Unemployment would have hit 10.8% — higher than December's 10% rate — without Obama's $787 billion stimulus program, according to the economists' median estimate. The difference would translate into another 1.2 million lost jobs.

But almost two-thirds of the economists said the government should do more to spur job growth. Suggestions included suspending payroll taxes for Social Security and Medicare, increasing spending on infrastructure, enacting a flat tax on income and extending jobless benefits.
That is why the House passed the Jobs for Main Street Act in December, this "jobs bill" would, among other things, provide:

  • $23 billion to save an estimated 250,000 education jobs over the next two years;
  • $41 billion to extend for six months expanded unemployment benefits, including increased payouts and longer duration of benefits;
  • $12.3 billion to extend from nine to 15 months the 65 percent COBRA premium support for individuals who have lost their jobs. In addition, the bill extends eligibility through June 30, 2010;
  • $200 million for AmeriCorps programs and the National Service Trust, to support an additional 25,000 AmeriCorps Members;
  • $500 million for summer youth employment programs;
  • $300 million to support the College Work Study program, which supports low- and moderate-income undergraduate and graduate students who work while attending college; and
  • $750 million for competitive grants to support job training for approximately 150,000 individuals in high growth and emerging industry sectors, particularly in the health care and green industries that are adding jobs despite difficult economic conditions.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Reps. Henry A. Waxman (D-CA), Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), and George Miller (D-CA), the chairmen of the three committees with jurisdiction over health policy in the U.S. House of Representatives, issued the following statement today on a new report released by the Center for American Progress showing that the health reform legislation pending in Congress will significantly lower health care costs for businesses, add as many as 4 million jobs over the next decade, and increase workers’ wages.

Rep. George Miller, chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, speaks passionately about the need to pass the Jobs for Main Street Act on the House floor on December 16, 2009.


Learn more about the Jobs for Main Street Act and how it will create additional jobs for construction workers, teachers, police officers, firefighters and others, and extend critical assistance for the unemployed and people who have lost health insurance.

House Approves Bill to Create Jobs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation today to create urgently needed new jobs for construction workers, teachers, police officers, firefighters and others, and to extend critical assistance for the unemployed and those who have lost health insurance. The Jobs for Main Street Act is the most recent step in Congress’ year-long effort to rescue the economy and stem the crippling impacts of the worst recession in generations.


WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, issued the following statement on yesterday’s introduction of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 by U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and other members of Congress.

“Yesterday’s introduction of comprehensive reform by Rep. Gutierrez represents a positive step forward in the debate to fix our nation’s broken immigration system. I am especially pleased that the bill includes the Indentured Servitude Abolition Act, legislation I introduced that would end widely documented abuses of foreign guest workers and hold unscrupulous labor recruiters responsible for the promises they make. I commend Rep. Gutierrez and other members for introducing this bill on a topic of great importance to our nation.”

For more information on the Indentured Servitude Abolition Act, click here.

Jobs for Main Street Act

The Jobs for Main Street Act, passed by the House on December 16, 2009, will create or save jobs here at home with targeted investments ($75 billion) for highways and transit, school renovation, hiring teachers, police, and firefighters, small business, job training and affordable housing – key drivers of economic growth that have the most bang for the buck. These investments are fully paid for by redirecting TARP funds from Wall Street to Main Street. The bill text is now available on the Rules Committee web site»

In addition, the legislation also provides critical safety net funds to extend COBRA premium assistance for people who have lost their health insurance as a result of job loss, as well as unemployment benefits and provide other aid for Americans looking for work.  It also gives assistance to states to pay for Medicaid and for extending the child tax credit.

Fact sheet on the Jobs for Main Street Act »

Bill text »

TODAY: House to Consider Jobs for Main Street Act

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The House of Representatives is scheduled to consider the Jobs for Main Street Act today, December 16.  The measure will create additional jobs for construction workers, teachers, police officers, firefighters and others, and to extend critical assistance for the unemployed and people who have lost health insurance, the most recent step in Congress’ year-long efforts to rescue the economy and stem the crippling impacts of the worst recession in generations.
WASHINGTON, D.C. –  House Democrats unveiled legislation Tuesday to create additional jobs for construction workers, teachers, police officers, firefighters and others, and to extend critical assistance for the unemployed and people who have lost health insurance, the most recent step in Congress’ year-long efforts to rescue the economy and stem the crippling impacts of the worst recession in generations.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, issued the following statement today after the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that 11,000 jobs were lost in November and the unemployment rate fell to 10 percent, the best monthly jobs report since December 2007.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, issued the followed statement today on President Obama’s White House Forum on Jobs and Economic Growth.

Committee to Examine State Efforts to Adopt Competitive Education Standards

On Tuesday, December 8, the House Education and Labor Committee will hold a hearing to learn more about states’ efforts to help improve the nation’s competitiveness by adopting a common core of college and career readiness standards. To date, 48 states have joined the initiative.

WHAT:          
Full Committee Hearing on “Improving Our Competitiveness: Common Core Education Standards”

WHO:            
The Honorable Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor of Colorado
Gene Wilhoit, Executive Director, Council of Chief State School Officers, Washington, D.C.
Doug Kubach, President and CEO, Pearson Assessment and Information, San Antonio, TX
Cathy Allen, Vice Chair for the Board of Education at St. Mary’s County Public Schools, Leonardtown, MD
            
WHEN:         
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
10:00 a.m. EST
Please check the Committee schedule for potential updates »

WHERE:       
House Education and Labor Committee Hearing Room
2175 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C.

Note: This hearing will be webcast live from the Education and Labor Committee website. Access the webcast when the hearing begins » 

Recovery Dollars Created Up to 1.6 Million Jobs: CBO

Yesterday, the Congressional Budget Office released its report on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s impact on the economy and employment and found that in the third quarter of 2009, because of recovery dollars, 600,000 to 1.6 million more U.S. workers had jobs; Gross Domestic Product was 1.2 percent to 3.2 percent higher; and the unemployment rate was 0.3 to 0.9 percentage points lower than it would have been if no action had been taken. The report also reinforces that the estimates only capture jobs created by direct spending – they do not measure the “spillover effect” of jobs created or saved indirectly due to higher incomes or increased demand for goods and services.

Chairman George Miller, a key architect of the education investments in ARRA, said, “This report leaves no doubt that the economy would be in much worse shape if the Recovery Act had not been implemented: up to 1.6 million fewer Americans would have jobs, unemployment would be higher, and GDP would be lower. As the Obama administration and Congress continue to explore additional strategies to create jobs and build a foundation for long-term economic growth, it is critical to acknowledge the progress that has already been made as a result of these policies – and that our economy was rescued from the brink of what could have been an even more devastating catastrophe. This snapshot offers encouraging signs – but is also a reminder that we still have a long road ahead to continue growing jobs, reviving our economy, and helping every worker and family feeling the very deep pain of this crisis.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ensuring workers have access to paid sick leave can help slow the spread of highly contagious illnesses like the H1N1 flu virus, witnesses told the House Education and Labor Committee today. By giving workers access to paid sick leave, employees will not be forced to choose between losing pay and infecting co-workers and the public.

The Impact of Women’s Growing Participation in the Workforce: ‘the Shriver Report: A Woman’s Nation Changes Everything’

Workforce Protections Subcommittee Hearing 10:30 AM, November 13, 2009 Board of Supervisors Chambers, Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive
San Rafael, CA
Due to the off-site location of this hearing, there will be no webcast, photos or videos.

News of the Day: CNN Reports on H1N1 Flu Emergency Sick-Leave Bill



News of the Day: Teen Unemployment Hits 25.9%, Congress Lends an Ear

The Wall Street Journal's Blog highlights our hearing from on economic opportunities for young Americans last week.

The unemployment rate for 16 to 19-year-olds hit 25.9% in September, the highest rate recorded since at least 1948 (the earliest data the Labor Department supplies).

Lately, their plight hasn’t been falling on deaf ears. The House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing earlier this week to address low unemployment among young people.

“Indeed, because of the horrible economy, younger workers are now competing with more experienced workers for positions traditionally [in] the domain of the young and less experienced,” Rep. George Miller, a California Democrat and the committee chairman, said according to prepared remarks. “Until the economy as a whole turns around, younger workers will continue to be hit the hardest.”

While there are big concerns about unemployment and underemployment for young Americans, there is a silver lining.

At least things don’t appear to be getting worse for the 20-somethings lately. The unemployment rate for 20 to 24-year-olds dropped to a still-high 14.9% in September. It’s the second month the group’s unemployment rate decreased.
We encourage you to read the entire blog post, as well as view the testimony from the hearing, visit the hearing page and view the pictures.
WASHINGTON – While the current economic crisis has driven youth unemployment to historic highs, witnesses told the House Education and Labor Committee today that falling youth employment is part of a much longer trend that needs to be addressed.

“The recession has only made a bad situation worse for younger workers. Even in periods of economic stability, fewer young people do not make the transition to the workforce.  They face challenges completing high school and obtaining the skills they need to succeed,” said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the committee. “For these young people, alternative education and job training models provide a critical link to the workplace.”

Hearing on Ensuring Economic Opportunities for Young Americans

Today, the House Education and Labor will eold a hearing to examine the impact on declining rate of youth employment and strategies to ensure that there are economic opportunities available for young Americans.

While the recession has disproportionately impacted young adults, the employment rate among 16 to 24 year-olds has steadily declined by nearly 20 percent over the past decade to its lowest level since World War II. The consequences of reduced work opportunities among young Americans results in fewer long-term employment prospects, less earnings and a decrease in productivity.

The hearing page has a complete list of all witnesses, testimony, statements, videos, photos and an archived webcast.
WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. George Miller (D-CA) released the following statement calling on  the House to approve the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, one of President Obama’s top domestic priorities.

“Passage will represent a monumental step forward in our effort to build a vibrant and green economy based on clean energy, less foreign oil, and a reduction in greenhouse gases,” said Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the Education and Labor Committee and one of the co-authors of the energy bill. “Californians have led the nation in breaking our dependence on fossil fuels and have always known that the future belongs to clean energy technology jobs.  It is long past time for us to stop sending our national treasure to pay for foreign oil. This bill gives us the opportunity to follow California’s lead and move America in a new energy direction.

New Innovations and Best Practices under the Workforce Investment Act

Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness Subcommittee Hearing 10:00 AM, May 29, 2009 Nevada State College
Liberal Arts and Sciences Building
Room #120
1021 East Paradise Hills Drive
Henderson, Nevada
On Friday, May 29, the House Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness held a hearing to examine best practices for improving job training.This is the fifth hearing the committee is holding as it works toward reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act, which provides job training, education programs, vocational rehabilitation and other services to Americans.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today hailed the Obama administration for taking steps to expand access to college and other education and job training programs for workers who have lost their jobs. President Obama announced this effort as today’s April jobs report showed the U.S. economy lost 593,000 jobs last month and the unemployment rate shot to 8.9 percent.

“As we continue working to turn our economy around, we have to do everything we can to help the millions of Americans who have suffered job losses in this recession get the education, training and skills they need to return to the workforce. President Obama’s initiatives are commonsense steps that will make college and training programs more accessible and affordable for laid-off workers by allowing them to enroll in postsecondary education without forfeiting their unemployment benefits. In addition, it’s critical that he reminded financial aid officers that they can adjust financial aid packages based on recent layoffs, so families aren’t paying for college based on incomes they no longer earn.

New Innovations and Best Practices under the Workforce Investment Act

Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness Subcommittee Hearing 10:00 AM, May 5, 2009 2175 Rayburn H.O.B
Washington, DC
On Tuesday, May 5, the House Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness held a hearing to examine best practices for improving adult education and family literacy. This is the fourth hearing the committee is holding as it works toward reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act, which provides job training, education programs, vocational rehabilitation and other services to Americans.

Rep. Paul Tonko: Greening Our Workforce

(This is a guest blog post by Rep. Paul Tonko, Education and Labor Committee Member.)

tonko-square.JPGAs we celebrate Earth Day for the 39th year – by volunteering in our local areas through our own individual efforts and raising awareness globally – we must all do our part.  This year represents a great opportunity for all of us to ensure a cleaner, safer and greener environment.  We can and we must achieve these ends.  A major component of shifting our economy from one that pollutes, relies on carbon based fuels and approaches problem solving from an antiquated angle is no longer acceptable.  We must all go beyond the traditional “Think Globally, Act Locally” mantra to curb our environmental impacts.  We can act personally by lowering our thermostats, using compact fluorescent bulbs and weatherizing our homes.  We can act locally by creating no idle zones, making our cities and towns more pedestrian friendly and driving energy efficient vehicles.  We can act regionally by building on mass transit, supporting high speed rail initiatives and thinking more strategically.  We can act nationally by passing a cap and trade bill, supporting improved efficiency measures and catalyzing a green energy work force.

Here in Congress we have taken the first steps towards greening our workforce through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Investing in the green economy and green jobs will not only improve the environment and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but will also help spur long-term economic growth, witnesses told the Workforce Protections Subcommittee of the House Education and Labor Committee.  

“Green industry, green technology and green jobs are our future, and will play a key role in our economic recovery,” said U.S. Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), chair of the subcommittee. “I am confident that if we stay on course and encourage American ingenuity and innovation, we can emerge from this national recession stronger than we were before.”

Green Jobs and their Role in our Economic Recovery

Workforce Protections Subcommittee Hearing 10:00 AM, March 31, 2009 2175 Rayburn H.O.B.
Washington, DC
On Tuesday, March 31, the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections of the House Education and Labor Committee will hold a hearing to examine green jobs and their role in our nation’s economic recovery. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act set aside $50 billion in grants and tax incentives to promote energy efficiency and the renewable energy sector. Congress also approved the Green Jobs Act in 2007, a program to help train American workers for jobs in the renewable energy and energy-efficiency industries.

Subcommittee to Examine Role of Green Jobs in the Economic Recovery

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On Tuesday, March 31, the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections of the House Education and Labor Committee will hold a hearing to examine green jobs and their role in our nation’s economic recovery. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act set aside $50 billion in grants and tax incentives to promote energy efficiency and the renewable energy sector. Congress also approved the Green Jobs Act in 2007, a program to help train American workers for jobs in the renewable energy and energy-efficiency industries.

New Innovations and Best Practices Under the Workforce Investment Act

Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness Subcommittee Hearing 10:00 AM, March 23, 2009 New York State Education Department Auditorium
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York
This is the third in a series of hearings the House Education and Labor Committee is holding to examine innovative strategies for improving job training and education for America’s workers as it works toward reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act.

News of the Day: Unions, good for workers and business

The Akron Beacon Journal had an op-ed from Larry Thompson, owner of Thompson Electric, about how the Employee Free Choice Act is good for business and good for workers.

Thompson Electric is proof that unions are good for workers and good for business. Our positive, long-term partnership with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is one of the main reasons that I, as an entrepreneur and business owner, support passage of the Employee Free Choice Act. More workers across the United States should be given a free and fair chance to form a union, just like our employees.

Our union workers receive the most cutting-edge job training available, and it pays off through lower injury rates, increased productivity and a strengthened ability to serve the people of Ohio. The union difference is not only impressive, but a valuable commodity in our line of work.
Mr. Thompson makes a fine argument that businesses and communities benefit with higher paid and higher skilled workers and, thus, the Employee Free Choice Act is needed to reform current law. We encourage you to read the entire op-ed.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Now more than ever, the nation’s job training programs must be improved to give workers the skills and training they will need as the economy starts to recover, witnesses told the House Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Competitiveness Subcommittee today. Today’s hearing was the second in a series of hearings the Education and Labor Committee is holding as it works toward reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act.

New Innovations and Best Practices Under the Workforce Investment Act

Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness Subcommittee Hearing 10:00 AM, February 26, 2009 2175 Rayburn H.O.B
Washington, DC
This is the second in a series of hearings the House Education and Labor Committee is holding to examine innovative strategies for improving job training and education for America’s workers as it works toward reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act.

Rep. Rubén Hinojosa: Second Hearing on the Workforce Investment Act Tomorrow

(This is a guest blog post by Rep. Rubén Hinojosa, chairman of the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.)

Thumbnail image for hinojosaphoto_highres.JPGLast night, the President called on all Americans to commit themselves to one year of college or postsecondary training.  

Last week, the President signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to create or save 3.5 million jobs.

Yet, an estimated 80 – 90 million adults lack the basic education and skills to answer the President’s call or to qualify for the jobs that will be created.

According to a recent analysis by Anthony Carnevale at Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, 54 percent of these jobs will require at least some postsecondary education and high school dropouts will be eligible for only about one- fourth of them.

We will have to call upon our workforce development system that is supported through the workforce investment act to bridge that gap.

Tomorrow, the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Competitiveness will hold its second hearing on the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act.  We will hear testimony about the innovative ways that our stakeholders in the workforce investment system are working together to create pathways to success for workers who need basic skills development, a high school diploma, or English as a second language to compete and fully participate in a 21st century workforce.

Tune in tomorrow and send us your examples of innovative practices in your community.



Today: Hearing on Workforce Investment Act

Today, February 26th, the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness will hold a second hearing about New Innovations and Best Practices Under the Workforce Investment Act at 10:00 am in 2175 Rayburn House Office Building.  The hearing will be broadcast live here.

Read Subcommittee Chairman Rubén Hinojosa's blog post on the hearing »

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Creating and Saving Jobs (Updated 2.12.09)

Building a Strong, Competitive 21st Century Economy

Economists across the board agree that the key to jumpstarting our economy is putting Americans back to work quickly. Earlier this month major U.S. corporations announced another 75,000 in job cuts, adding to the 2.6 million jobs our economy has lost in the last year.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will start rebuilding our economy immediately by creating or saving 3 to 4 million jobs – including hundreds of thousands of jobs in the education sector – and provide workers with the training and skills they need to succeed in green and other emerging industries. In addition to creating jobs in other sectors of our economy, the following education investments will save or boost job growth:


New Innovations and Best Practices Under the Workforce Investment Act

Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness Subcommittee Hearing 2:30 PM, February 12, 2009

(This is a guest blog post by Rep. Rubén Hinojosa, chairman of the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.)

hinojosaphoto_highres.JPGAmerica’s workers are in dire straits -- 3.6 million jobs have been lost since December 2007, with 598,000 jobs shed last month alone and unemployment surging to 7.6 percent.

Worse, we have failed to provide our workers with the education and skills that would help them weather the storm.  According to the National Commission on Adult Literacy, 80 to 90 million U.S. adults, roughly half of the nation’s workforce, currently lack the basic education and communication skills required for jobs that pay family sustaining wages.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which includes $4 billion for job training to help prepare laid-off, adult, and younger workers for work in emerging industries, is a critical first step toward getting America back to work.

However, our Workforce Investment Act (WIA), which authorizes our job training, adult education, and vocational rehabilitative services programs, is also long overdue for an upgrade. The current authorization expired in 2003, and the law has not been reauthorized since 1998 – when the economy was stronger and we were adding jobs rather than shedding them.
This hearing examined strategies – including investments in rebuilding crumbling infrastructure – to create good-paying jobs in order to put the nation’s stalled economy on the road to recovery. More than 2.2 million American workers have lost their jobs in the past 12 months and millions more are still looking for permanent employment.

Hearing Tomorrow: Building an Economic Recovery Package

gavel - hearing.jpg

On Friday, October 24 at 10:00 a.m., the Committee will hold a hearing examining strategies – including investments in rebuilding crumbling infrastructure – to create good-paying jobs in order to put the nation’s stalled economy on the road to recovery. More than 2.2 million American workers have lost their jobs in the past 12 months and millions more are still looking for permanent employment.

“Building an Economic Recovery Package: Creating and Preserving Jobs in America”
Scheduled on October 24, 2008 at 10 a.m. in room 2175 Rayburn H.O.B.


Chairman Miller Urges Secretary Chao Not To Roll Back Worker Protections

Chairman Miller Announces Hearing on Unemployment and Job Creation

Following an urgent meeting held by Democratic leaders and top economists in Washington on October 13, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced that House Democrats will begin laying the groundwork for a comprehensive economic recovery and job creation program, including a hearing to be held by the House Education and Labor Committee. Chairman George Miller said the hearing will focus on the nation’s severe unemployment outlook and strategies to spur job growth.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced today that 159,000 jobs were lost in September, the steepest decline in five years and the 9th consecutive month of job losses.

Today’s jobs report highlights the massive destruction that the Bush-Cheney-McCain wrecking ball has done to our economy, workers, and families. Eight years of their misguided policies have culminated in nine straight months of job losses. Two million workers have been unemployed for more than 27 months – 167,000 more than in August. Our nation is now dealing with the largest financial crisis since the Great Depression.

"Family-Friendly Leave Policies: Improving How Workers Balance Home and Family"

Workforce Protections Hearing 10:30 AM, June 9, 2008 Rose Y. Caracappa Legislative Auditorium, William H. Rogers Legislature Building
725 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, NY

"ICE Workplace Raids: Their Impact on U.S. Children, Families, and Communities"

Workforce Protections Hearing 10:00 AM, May 20, 2008
The Workforce Protections Subcommittee of the House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing on Immigration and Custom Enforcement workplace raids and the effects of the raids on local communities, including the impact on children, most of whom are American citizens. Witnesses explored how immigration enforcement could be improved in order to protect children.

"Workforce Investment Act: Ideas to Improve the Workforce Development System"

Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness Hearing 10:00 AM, July 26, 2007

"Green Jobs Act of 2007"

Full Committee Markup 10:30 AM, June 28, 2007
* 1 Member voting present

"Balancing Work and Family: What Policies Best Support America's Families?"

Workforce Protections Hearing 1:30 PM, June 21, 2007
2181 Rayburn House Office Building | Washington, DC 20515 | 202-225-3725
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