FUNDING FOR THE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT SYSTEM
WHEREAS, Our nation's economic recovery will be largely driven by our competitiveness in
global labor markets and our workers must be able to obtain the skills that give our economy a
leading edge in both existing and emerging sectors when the economy turns around; and
WHEREAS, as the national unemployment rate is at its highest level in 10 years and our
economy is weak, funding to train our workers must be a high priority for the Congress so that
they can obtain and keep jobs to help them through these tough economic times; and
WHEREAS, Mayors believe that investing in a skilled workforce is important to our nation's
economic growth, and training must be an important strategic element of our efforts to stimulate
the economy; and
WHEREAS, Congress overwhelmingly passed the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA),
which now is only in its third year of implementation, yet these programs have already been cut by
over $600 million from fiscal year 2002 levels and in addition, the President's budget proposal for
fiscal year 2004 does not restore this amount, and, there has been no meaningful increase in
funding at a time when our nation's workforce needs this investment most; and
WHEREAS, by cutting the workforce training programs, Congress and the Administration are
misplacing our national priorities at a time when American workers are experiencing massive job
losses,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors calls on
Congress to restore Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funding to at least Fiscal Year 2002 pre-rescission funding levels for adult, dislocated worker, and youth formula grants, and Youth
Opportunity Grant programs in the Fiscal Year 2004 Labor, Health and Human Services and
Education appropriations bill and to consider funds necessary and appropriation to ensure full
employment to all citizens.
©2003 U.S. Conference of Mayors 
