House Ways and Means Chair Brian Dempsey this week released the House budget proposal for FY 13. Funding for youth jobs was hard hit and the Youth Jobs Coalition is working with House members to file several amendments in increase funding for YouthWorks (7002-0012), School to Career Connecting Activities (7027-0019), and the Shannon Anti-Violence grants (8100-0111). We’ll post amendment numbers and sponsors as soon as we have them.
The Workforce Solutions Group is working with Representative Sean Garballey to file an amendment to recapitalize the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund at $10 million as proposed in the Middle Skills Solutions Act. Governor Patrick proposed $10 million in the consolidated budget surplus for the WCTF.
One Stop Career Centers (7003-0803) were funded less than the Governor’s proposal and slightly less than last year at $4,480,122.
MCAE is working to increase ABE/ESOL resources (7035-0002) to at least last year’s level and Crittenton Women’s Union is working with Representative Linda Dorcena-Forry to file support for the Education Rewards Grant Program (7002-1084).
The Coalition FOR Community Colleges is pleased with House proposals for reform including Line Item 7066-0025 which adds an additional $5 million for community colleges to promote higher completion rates, the adoption of standard course offerings and numbering, and consolidation and coordination of administration and procurements across the colleges. Funding, accountability and governance proposals are also included in outside sections 30-33 and 87,88, and 91.
Stay tuned for amendment info and our next advocacy steps to increase workforce items in the House budget; we’ll be posting a new update on Tuesday.
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