Tell Congress You Support Programs That Create Employment Opportunities

On June 17, the Senate Appropriations Committee voted along party lines to approve a bill (S. 3295) that would provide $158.7 billion in FY 2013 discretionary spending for the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and Education. Proponents of important job training programs feared that concerns about the deficit would fuel cuts to job training programs. Several of these programs leverage Goodwill’s resources and expertise.

Good news – under the committee’s bill, funding for a number of job training initiatives would be maintained at current levels. GII thanks its supporters – including shoppers, donors, staff members and Goodwill leadership – for sending the Senate hundreds of emails urging it to protect this funding. Advocacy in support of job training programs that aim to get people back to work quickly is important, especially at a time when unemployment remains high.

Yet the threat of cuts to these programs remains. As noted in last week’s column, the House Appropriations Committee is soon expected to mark up its version of the Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations bill. The House seeks an overall price tag that is $7.7 billion less (5 percent) than the amount agreed to by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Under the circumstances, House appropriators may be tempted – as has been the case in years past – to put job training funding on the chopping block.

Take action now by urging your representative to support job training programs that help put people back to work.

Goodwill shoppers, donors and other supporters can click here to send a letter.

Goodwill employees can send a letter through the staff or CEO action centers (MyGoodwill log-in required).