Democratic candidate for President; U.S. Rep from MD-6
Voted NO on workforce training by state block grants & industry partners.
Congressional Summary:
Supporting Knowledge and Investing in Lifelong Skills Act or SKILLS Act:
Reauthorizes appropriations workforce investment systems for job training and employment services.
Requires a plan describe:
strategies and services to more fully engage employers and meet their needs, as well as those to assist at-risk youth and out-of-school youth in acquiring education, skills, credentials, and employment experience;
how the state board will convene industry or sector partnerships that lead to collaborative planning;
how the state will use technology to facilitate access to services in remote areas;
state actions to foster partnerships with non-profit organizations that provide employment-related services; and
the methodology for determining one-stop partner program contributions for the cost of the infrastructure of one-stop centers.
Repeals title VI (Employment Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities)
Opponent's Argument for voting No:National League of Cities op-ed, "H.R. 803 fails because it would:"
Undermine the local delivery system that has been the cornerstone of job training programs
Establish a program that is based on political boundaries (states) rather than on economic regions and local labor markets, or the naturally evolving areas in which workers find paying work
Eliminate a strong role for local elected officials but require that they continue to be fiscally liable for funds spent in their local areas
Change what was once a program targeted to those most in need--economically disadvantaged adults and youth and special population groups like veterans, migrant farm workers, and low income seniors--into a block grant to governors
Contribute to the emerging division between those American's who have the requisite skills to find employment and those who do not.
Reference: SKILLS Act;
Bill H.R. 803
; vote number 13-HV075
on Mar 15, 2013