Workforce Development Council News

Weekly Update

September 12, 2008

 

Washigton Update

Continuing Resolution

With only three weeks left of the 110th Congress, lawmakers are conceding that a stopgap continuing resolution (CR) may be the only bill sent to the President during this work period. Because the fiscal 2009 appropriations bills have not been enacted, and the new fiscal year starts October 1st, Congress will have to pass a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government funded until early next year or after a new President takes office. The timing of the CR could be affected by who wins the presidential election and whether there is a lame duck session after the election. Currently, Democrats are planning to make the CR straightforward by keeping funding levels for government programs and agencies at their fiscal 2008 levels, with some exceptions. Republicans are warning against adding extraneous items to the bill and President Bush has threatened to veto domestic spending bills that exceed his request.

Second Economic Stimulus Package

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA) plans to follow-up the stimulus measure (PL 110-185) enacted in February 2008 with $50 billion in funding for infrastructure projects, a low-income energy and aid program, food stamps and Medicaid funding for states, as well as some form of unemployment insurance extension. On Thursday, September 11, she announced that she is looking at the continuing resolution or an expected stimulus package as the legislative vehicle to also provide $25 billion in loan guarantees to help struggling U.S. automakers. Supporters of the loan program want to see it included in the CR because of the desire for it to be passed before the end of the fiscal year, September 30. House leaders might unveil their economic stimulus package as early as next week.

 

Upcoming Meetings

WDC 20TH ANNUAL CONGRESSIONAL FORUM
Tuesday, September 23, 2008

WDC Board Meeting/Peer-to-Peer Best Practices Session
Monday, September 22, 2008

Please register to attend the 20th Annual Congressional Forum of The U.S. Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council (WDC) on Tuesday, September 23, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the St. Gregory Hotel & Suites, 2033 M Street, NW in Washington, DC 20036. We will be holding the afternoon portion of the Forum with members of Congress and Congressional Staff at the U.S. Capitol Building.

Click here for an updated draft agenda as of September 12.

Prior to the Congressional Forum, the WDC Board meeting, as well as a peer-to-peer best practices exchange on a variety of topics, will be held on Monday, September 22 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Please share this invitation with colleagues you think would be interested in participating in a national networking opportunity in Washington, DC. Click here for a description of the Congressional Forum for you to disseminate.

You may now register online at http://usmayors.org/2008CongressionalForum.

If you prefer, you may complete the registration form manually. To access the registration and hotel reservation form click here and fax it to our meeting department at (202) 467-4276.

Room reservations must be made by calling the hotel directly. Please identify yourself as an attendee of The U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting to ensure the group rate. The deadline for hotel discount rate was August 20, 2008.

Your involvement in the Workforce Development Council is a great asset to workforce development across the country. We look forward to your participation in the Congressional Forum.

 

Reports, Announcements, and Articles

Middle College Pathways to Building Careers in Health Care

Middle College Program Prepares Flint Teen for Health Care Field
By Duane Elling

Six Michigan communities were chosen by the state to launch a program where high school students can gain access to college early to become acquainted to the culture of higher education and their desired career choice in health. This article, from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, highlights a student in the program.

The article and links to further information about the program can be found at the following website:
http://www.mott.org/Home/publications/Mott%20Mosaic/April%202008%20v7n1/mosaicv7n1flintfirstpersonkatie.aspx

 

ETA Releases

 

© The U.S. Conference of Mayors
1620 I St., N.W.
4th Floor
Washington, DC 20006
202.293.7330