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Budget Update
On Thursday, April 23 the Senate announced its conferees for the FY10 Budget resolution. The Senate conferees are Budget Chairman Kent Conrad (ND), Senator Patty Murray (WA), and Budget ranking member Judd Gregg (NH).
The House appointed its conferees on Wednesday, April 24. The House conferees are House Budget Chairman John Spratt (SC), Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT), Representative Allen Boyd (FL), Representative Jeb Hensarling (TX), and Budget ranking member Paul Ryan (WI).
The two major issues for deliberation are an $8 billion difference in funding levels between the two chambers and whether or not to include reconciliation instructions for health care and education reform. Conferee and Budget Chairman Kent Conrad (ND) opposes using budget reconciliation while the House and the White House insist on including it in the final measure as a “backstop.” Democrats in both chambers hope to reach an agreement on the budget resolution as early as next week, but are setting any firm deadlines.
Larson Introduces Computer Training Legislation
On Thursday, April 23, Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus Representative John Larson (CT) introduced The Community College Technology Access Act of 2009 (HR 2060). The bill offers free computer training for workers and others looking to improve their IT skills through the nation’s community colleges. The legislation is based on a paper written in 2007 by NDN Globalization Initiative Chair Dr. Robert Shapiro entitled “Tapping the Resources of America’s Community Colleges: A Modest Proposal to Provide Universal Computer Training”. President Barack Obama endorsed the idea as part of his presidential platform during his presidential campaign.
Obama Signs National Service Bill
On Tuesday, April 21, President Barack Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act (HR 1388). Present at the signing ceremony were former President Bill Clinton, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (NV), and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chairman Edward Kennedy among others. The law expands the 1990 National and Community Service Act (PL 101-610) to further the mission of the Corporation for National and Community Service with an estimated cost of $5.7 billion over five years. President Obama also named Maria Eitel as CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service.
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Workforce Development Council (WDC) Annual Meeting at the U.S. Conference of Mayors 77th Annual Conference
Providence, RI
June 12-13, 2009
Register now for the WDC Board meeting in Providence! The WDC Board meeting will be held at the Westin Providence Hotel from June 12-13, 2009, as part of The U.S. Conference of Mayors 77th Annual Conference. All WDC members are welcome to attend!
Attached is a draft agenda for your information. To access the WDC draft agenda click here.
You may now register and request hotel accommodations online at http://usmayors.org/registration/. Please scroll down the screen to select the Workforce Development Council link to access the WDC registration form.
Be sure to have a method of payment ready for the hotel reservation when you register online. You must complete both forms at the same time. Once the registration is submitted, the online system does not accept revisions.
If you prefer, you can still complete your registration form manually. To access the registration and hotel reservation forms please click here. Please complete the form and fax it to our meetings department at (202) 467-4276. The deadline for guaranteed hotel accommodations is May 5, 2009.
Mayors will meet on June 12-16, 2009. Below are links containing Tom Cochran’s memo to member mayors on the resolutions submission deadline, the resolution procedures and the mayors draft agenda for your information.
Click here to access the memo.
Click here to access the procedures.
Click here to access the mayors draft agenda.
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New From Clasp
From Stimulus to System: Using the ARRA to Serve Disadvantaged Jobseekers
by David Fischer and Jeremy Reiss
In April, 2009 CLASP explores models and mechanisms for connecting low-skilled jobseekers to ARRA-related job opportunities--including community-benefit agreements, job linkage/first source hiring, and goals and standards for job creation and job quality--and for subsequently engaging jobseekers in further skill-building and educational programs.
Click here to view full report:
http://www.clasp.org/publications/fischerreissstimulustosystemfinal.pdf
New From MRDC
Getting Back on Track
Effects of a Community College Program for Probationary Students
Rates of graduation and degree completion at community colleges remain distressingly low. This report evaluates two versions of a program designed to help probationary students at community college succeed in school. One version increased the average number of credits earned, the proportion of students who earned a grade point average of “C” or higher, and the proportion who moved off probation.
Click here to view full report:
http://www.mdrc.org/publications/514/full.pdf
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