WIA Reauthorization Letter
March 17, 2003
The U.S. Conference of Mayors voices serious concerns about WIA Reauthorization in the following letter which was sent to Representative Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (CA), Chair, Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness, Committee on Education and the Workforce and to Representative Dale E. Kildee (MI), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness, Committee on Education and the Workforce prior to their hearing on March 11, 2003.
March 11, 2003
Dear Representative:
The nation's mayors are deeply concerned about the Administration's Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Proposal. The Administration's proposal seriously undermines local authority, originally established through your leadership in crafting the WIA legislation. WIA reauthorization must retain and enhance strong local governance authority for local elected officials and their local Workforce Investment Boards.
Any lessening of authority to local elected officials and their Workforce Investment Boards is unacceptable and counterproductive. The following two proposed provisions in the WIA reauthorization undermine, if not eliminate, local authority and are unacceptable to Mayors:
The proposed "State Option" gives governors complete control on how to administer WIA adult and youth formula grants at the local level and allows governors to determine sub'state funding and governance structures. This block grant waiver authority provision eliminates the role of local elected officials and workforce investment boards in WIA.
The proposed local area designation provision gives governors complete authority to eliminate established local workforce areas, without consultation with local chief elected officials. The fact elected officials will have no right to appeal non'designation to the Secretary of Labor, is a serious and unacceptable diminishment of local authority.
It makes sense for mayors to oversee workforce development because we work with our business community every day. We know where the unmet needs are, sector by sector. Shifting the resources to the states breaks down that relationship and moves it one step further away from the people and businesses who need our help.
Another area of deep concern is the elimination of in'school youth programs, which we believe is shortsighted and not in the national interest. While it is important to serve young people who have dropped out, or graduated but are unable to find work, turning our backs on youth who have made the right choice by sticking with their education, is a mistake. Career exploration, summer jobs, and other year round employment related activities help jump start careers for young people and make them more productive workers throughout their lifetimes. WIA reauthorization should maintain current law allowing both in' and Out-of-School youth access to youth employment programs.
The continued diminishment of summer jobs should be stopped. Summer jobs make a critical difference in the lives and futures of many young people, their families, and the community at large. In Boston, I have seen how a strong summer jobs program with involvement from all sectors can help our young people in so many ways and I know that many other mayors have had the same experience.
Thank you for your consideration. We will be submitting more detailed comments and recommendations in the near future and The Conference of Mayors would appreciate the ability to testify on these proposals in the near future.
Sincerely,
[signed]
Thomas M. Menino
President, Mayor of Boston
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