Workforce Bulletin - February 7, 2014
This edition of Workforce Bulletin contains articles including:
Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Stalls in the U.S. Senate
Legislation to extend the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program failed to gain the 60 votes necessary for the measure to move forward in the Senate on Thursday, February 6.
Registration and Hotel Rooms Still Available for 2014 NASWA Winter Policy Forum
State workforce officials and unemployment insurance professionals planning on attending the 2014 NASWA Winter Policy Forum (WPF) are encouraged to register and make their hotel reservations for the Conference as hotel rooms are still available.
Nonfarm Jobs Rose by 113,000 in January as Unemployment Rate Remains Relatively Unchanged at 6.6 Percent
The nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 6.6 percent, was little changed in January. This jobless rate compares with rates experienced in the fall of 2008. At 10.2 million, the number of unemployed persons has declined by 2.1 million (or 17 percent) since January 2013.
Unemployment Insurance Initial Claims Decrease, Continued Claims Increase
The U.S. Department of Labor reported for the week ending February 1, 2014, seasonally adjusted unemployment insurance initial claims decreased from the previous week’s revised figure.
Congressional Budget Office Releases Reports on Economic Outlook and Labor Market
On Tuesday, February 4, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released The Budget and Economic Outlook: 2014 to 2024, which detailed baseline projections of federal spending, revenues, deficits, and economic growth over the next 10 years.
House Passes GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act of 2014
On Monday, February 3, the House of Representatives passed the GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act of 2014 (H.R. 357) in 390-0 vote, which would modify or extend a number of veterans education and training programs operated by the U.S. Departments of Veterans Affairs and Labor.
First Lady to Speak at USDOL
On Monday, February 10, the First Lady will deliver remarks at a National Symposium on Veterans' Employment in Construction, hosted at the US Department of Labor. This event will bring together the construction industry, government leaders, and education professionals to celebrate hiring commitments throughout the construction industry and address the employment challenges and opportunities of America's transitioning service members and veterans.
NASWA Committees Hold First Committee Meetings of 2013-2014 Association Year
Several NASWA Committees held their first or second committee meetings of the 2014 Association Year in December and January, continuing the ongoing work from the previous year, while also discussing strategies to further their mission and goals in the coming year. The seven standing NASWA Committees to hold meetings in December and January were: Equal Opportunity (EO), Administration and Finance (A&F), Unemployment Insurance (UI) and its Interstate Benefits (IB) Subcommittee, National Labor Exchange (NLX) Operations, Employment and Training (E&T), Veterans Affairs and Labor Market Information (LMI).
NASWA Committee Meeting Schedule for 2014
Most of the NASWA committees have determined meeting schedules for the 2014 Association Year, which runs from the September 2013 Annual Conference to the 2014 Annual Conference. Some committees schedule all meetings for the Association Year at the beginning of the year; some prefer to schedule the next meet at a current meeting. At times it can be difficult to plan all meetings for a year as there are often other pending events and circumstances (legislation, policy, etc.) to be considered before a meeting date or location can be set.
State Workforce Agency Members Encouraged to Attend 2014 DirectEmployers Annual Meeting
DirectEmployers Association (DirectEmployers) has invited NASWA members to attend the 2014 DirectEmployers Annual Meeting & Conference (DEAM14), scheduled to take place, March 25-27, in Washington, D.C.
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