“Winning the Future” Requires a Win-Today Workforce

Last week, millions of Americans watched the State of the Union. In outlining his strategy for “winning the future,” President Obama highlighted the need to create jobs by out-innovating, out-educating, and out-building the rest of the world. He also focused on the need to reduce the deficit. Among budget-cutting strategies he outlined was a proposal to freeze annual spending for the next five years, exempting education, defense, veterans affairs, homeland security, Medicare, and Social Security.

Take Stock of 2011 Fashion

It goes without saying that every year we make resolutions for the New Year. I am here to propose yet another resolution for you! How about taking a critical look at all of the fashions you already have in your closet?

Congress Passes Temporary Spending Bill: Sets Stage for Funding Battle Next Year

On December 21, 2010, the U.S. Congress passed a “continuing resolution” (CR) to temporarily fund federal programs until March 4, 2011. The bill is expected to be signed by President Obama today. As cleared, the bill would increase government spending by $1.16 billion in fiscal 2011 compared with fiscal 2010. The bill also includes millions of dollars in additional funds for a variety of federal programs, including some aimed at aiding veterans and students.

Debt Commission May Decrease Funding for Employment Programs

Last week, the co-chairs of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform released a discussion draft of ideas to reduce annual government budget deficits and pay down the U.S. national debt.

Decision 2010 Implications: Job Creation and Job Training Services Need Your Support

Last week, Congress adjourned to give anxious Members of Congress time to hit the campaign trail. Having failed to pass a single appropriations bill to provide funding for federal programs in FY 2011, Congress passed a temporary spending measure or “continuing resolution (CR)” that, for the most part, extends funding for federal programs at current levels through December 3, 2010. The December 3 deadline is significant because it falls after the November mid-term election, yet before the new 112th Congress convenes, meaning that soon-to-be-former Members of Congress must return to Washington in mid-November for a “lame-duck session” to approve spending levels for all federal programs.

Congress Returns to Washington with Busy Agenda

Congress returned from the Summer recess to staggering reports, such as the unemployment rate hovering near 9.6 percent, and one in seven people living in poverty last year. Although congressional time is limited before the Election Day recess – set tentatively for October 8 – lawmakers remain hopeful that at least a few employment-related bills – can get through the Congress before the recess or during a possible lame-duck session after the election.

Congress Considers Funding for Important Programs that Support Families

With new reports that the unemployment rate is hovering near 9.5 percent, and one in seven people were living in poverty last year, on September 16, Sen. Baucus (D-MT) introduced the Job Creation and Tax Cuts Act of 2010, proposing to spend $1 billion for Workforce Investment Act “grants to states for youth activities,” and an additional $1.5 billion for basic assistance for families, short-term, one-time aid for needy families and subsidized employment programs under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

Urge Congress to extend benefits for people in need!

Tell Congress to continue to provide supports for people who aren’t fortunate enough to be a part of the labor force. With an unemployment rate stubbornly hovering around 9.5 percent, an increasing number of people in need are turning to Goodwill for pre- and post-employment services, including skills training, job search assistance, job retention support, and other career programs. Ask Congress to continue to make these critical services possible by extending the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Emergency Contingency Fund, which will expire on September 30.

Urge Congress to Support Funding for Job Training

The U.S. still struggles to recover from the worst recession since the Great Depression. And unemployment stubbornly hovers near 10 percent. But Goodwill continues to invest the bulk of its revenues into providing services to people who face employment challenges.

Federal investments in this work are vital to us. Today, we are asking you to contact your Members of Congress, and ask them to support funding for job training programs. Continue reading to learn more, or take action now.

Congress Considers Spending for Key Workforce Programs

Today, July 27, 2010, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee with jurisdiction over funding for the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and Education Subcommittee considered its FY 2011 spending bill. The full Senate Appropriations Committee is scheduled to consider the bill on Thursday, July 29. While full details are not yet available, sources assert that funding for the Workforce Investment Act’s (WIA) youth, adult, and dislocated worker funding streams would be increased.

Celebrating 20 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act

On July 26, 2010, we commemorate the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the first-ever civil rights law for people with disabilities that gave people with disabilities better access to goods, resources, services and job opportunities. We celebrate the ADA as a symbol of our nation’s commitment to equality, and rejoice in the progress that has been made over the past 20 years. But there is still much to do.

Haiti Earthquake: How You Can Help

Over the past week, the world has sadly witnessed images of the devastation caused by the earthquakes in Haiti, a country already struggling to recover from four hurricanes that hit in 2008. The caring people that work at 166 member Goodwill enterprises in the United States and Canada, as well as its 14 international affiliates, send their thoughts and prayers to the people of Haiti, along with deepest sympathies for the unimaginable pain and suffering the people of the country are enduring.