By Josie Hathway
October 7, 2002

Mayors held several successful meetings with key members of the Senate and House to call for an investment in jobs and skills training as a key component of our nation's economic security. The Mayors and their message were well received by the members and laid a foundation for next years workforce development agenda on Capitol Hill. The mayoral delegation on jobs/skills training was led by Conference of Mayors Trustee Long Beach Mayor Beverly O-Neill.

Representative Howard "Buck" McKeon (CA)

Immediately following the White House meeting, Brockton (MA) Mayor John T. Yunits, Jr., Chair of The U.S. Conference of Mayors Standing Committee on Workforce Development met with Representative Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (CA), Chair of the House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness and thanked him for his ongoing support for the local workforce system. McKeon assured him that he will work hard to maintain a strong local role for mayors in the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) reauthorization which takes place next year.

Senator Arlen Specter (PA)

Senator Arlen Specter (PA), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, held a lively exchange with Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street, Pittsburgh Mayor Thomas J. Murphy, Mayor O-Neill, Mayor Yunits, Xenia, (OH) Mayor John T. Saraga and Richmond, (CA) Mayor Irma Anderson, Chair of the Conferrence of Mayors Standing Committee on Children, Health and Human Services. The mayors reported on increasing unemployment across the country including the impact of the closing of Pittsburgh's steel mills, shortage of nurses, the overcrowded job fairs in Philadelphia, the growing unskilled immigrant populations in Long Beach and elsewhere. "The unemployment situation is getting worse. We cannot take cuts in these critical job training programs," said Mayor Street.

The mayors told Senator Specter that the growing numbers of unskilled and uneducated young adults, growing numbers of immigrants in cities across the country and the need to invest in occupational and soft skills development to train them for jobs beyond entry level where they can support their families.

Mayor O-Neill added, "Last year, I led the mayors in hosting a series of skills summits that brought together the private sector, educators, unions and workforce professionals to address the growing skills gap. The findings are loud and clear — there must be a solution to this "silent crisis" in order to maintain our nation's economic security. The recession has intensified the need to invest in workers. It's time for Washington to act on behalf of American workers — it is not the time to balance the budget on their backs."

Senator Specter agreed, "There is no doubt about the importance of skills training and investment in youth. It's a high item on my agenda and we will do everything we can to make sure these programs are funded."

Senator Edward M. Kennedy (MA)

Conference President Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Burlington (VT) Mayor Peter A. Clavelle met with Senator Edward M. Kennedy (MA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee which authorizes job training programs.

Mayor Menino thanked Senator Kennedy for his continued support for cities and the local workforce system and said, "As Congress prepares for reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), scheduled for next year, I urge you to continue to support strong local authority and flexibility for mayors to remain at the core of WIA to ensure that needs of local and regional employers are met."

Senator Kennedy, who has led the Congress in placing greater focus on the importance of job training, offered his support of the Conference Lobby Day priorities for jobs and skills training.

Representative Ralph Regula (OH)

Conference Vice President Akron Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic met with Representative Ralph Regula (OH) on Wednesday and carried the Conference's message on job training funding. Mr. Regula is the Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education. The Committee has not taken action on the FY 03 appropriations bill,which would fund job training programs.