Washington Update

Second Economic Stimulus Package

House Democratic leaders are considering whether to bring the House back into session next week to consider a second stimulus bill and possibly legislation to redirect a portion of the $700 billion financial rescue bill to provide aid to the auto industry.

They are expected to make the final decision on a lame-duck session today. Without an assurance that President Bush would sign a stimulus bill, however, a lame-duck is not expected. Although he remains cool to Democratic stimulus proposals, the President is not opposed to the idea of a stimulus and auto industry aid, according to the White House. Republican leaders, however, want a stimulus focused on tax cuts.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD), other Democratic leaders and President-elect Obama have called for a fiscal stimulus package that includes funding for infrastructure projects, an extension of unemployment insurance and aid to states for Medicaid.

Speaker Pelosi has notified members that they may be in session next week. Both Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (NV) hope to consider legislation in a lame-duck session but a final decision depends on cooperation from Republicans, particularly in the Senate, and President Bush.

Upcoming Meetings

Workforce Development Council
Board and Annual Winter Meeting
The U.S. Conference of Mayors 77th Annual Winter Meeting
The Capital Hilton Hotel
Washington, DC
January 16-17, 2009

The next WDC Board and Annual Winter Meeting will be held on January 16-17, 2009 as part of The U.S. Conference of Mayors 77th Annual Winter Meeting. The meeting will be held at the Capital Hilton Hotel, 16th & K Streets, NW in Washington, D.C.

Mayors will meet on January 17-19 at the Capital Hilton Hotel.

Click here to access a draft agenda for the WDC meeting.

You may now register for the WDC Annual Winter Meeting online by going to http://usmayors.org/registration, and selecting the Workforce Development Council link to access the registration form. Because 2009 is an Inaugural year, there is an increased demand for hotel rooms in Washington for these dates. Due to the increased demand, USCM will offer hotel reservations to MAYORS ONLY through the Inaugural dates of January 19 & 20, 2009. The deadline for guaranteed hotel rooms is December 19, 2008.

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

If you have any questions, please contact Ida Mukendi at (202) 861-6724 or imukendi@usmayors.org.

I hope to see you in January!

Reports, Announcements, and Articles

New Report from CLASP

Beyond Stimulus: Shoring up the Safety Net, Securing the American Dream

On November 7th, the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) released a report with recommendations for the new Congress to assure continued support for families facing financial hardships, particularly during a time of economic distress in America. It includes recommendations on the following: increase support for education and training, extend and modernize unemployment insurance, ensure access for low-income communities to new jobs created through infrastructure, fund summer jobs in areas with high youth unemployment rates, and expand transitional jobs for individuals with barriers to employment.

Click here to view the report.

ETA Releases

• Unemployment Insurance: ETA Seeks Comments on Proposed Extension of the Experience Rating Report
  November 13, 2008

• Intermediaries and FBCOs Working Together: ETA Publishes Literature Review
  November 13, 2008

• ETA Publishes Implementation Analysis of High Growth Job Training Initiative (HGJTI) Programs
  November 13, 2008