12-R121
2012 -- S 2303
Enacted 03/07/12
S E N A T E R E
S O L U T I O N
RESPECTFULLLY
URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO FULLY FUND THE
WORKFORCE
INVESTMENT ACT (WIA)
Introduced By: Senators Paiva Weed, Ruggerio, P Fogarty, Lynch, and DaPonte
Date Introduced: February 01, 2012
WHEREAS, The United
States Congress is considering an appropriations bill that would
significantly cut funding to federal workforce programs including
the Adult, Dislocated Worker,
and Youth programs authorized under the Workforce
Investment Act (WIA); and
WHEREAS, WIA is the
major funding source for the employment and training programs
in the states, including education, placement, and
business support services; and
WHEREAS, WIA
appropriations help fund
Career Centers, local Workforce Investment Boards, contextualized training, innovative industry
partnerships, and a myriad of other services designed to improve
the skill level and work
preparedness of
WHEREAS, Programs funded
by WIA provide a valuable service to our business
community by helping to provide a 21st century skilled
workforce that is designed to meet the
needs of
WHEREAS, Over the past two years, the Department of Labor and
Training estimates
that WIA programs have assisted over 33,600 Rhode Islanders
in their efforts to obtain new skills
and secure employment; and
WHEREAS, A significant
reduction in federal WIA funding would devastate the
workforce development system in
opportunities for unemployed job seekers, reducing funds for
valuable on-the-job training,
reducing funding for the state’s Rapid Response layoff
aversion program, reducing the number of
work experience and career exploration programs for
vulnerable at-risk youth, and hindering the
development and enhancement of a workforce that can compete in
the global economy; now,
therefore be it
RESOLVED,
That this Senate of the State of
hereby strongly urges and implores Congress to fully fund
the Workforce Investment Act, the
cornerstone of the state workforce system that provides vital
services to the unemployed, under-
employed, and employers as they try to rebound from the recent
recession; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is
authorized and directed to
transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the
President of the United States Senate, to the
Speaker of the
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LC00846
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