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Statement on Passage of FY 2018 Omnibus Budget

Media Contact

Michelle Marshel, Director, Meetings & Communications
Phone: (202) 999-0168 | Email: mmarshel@naswa.org

 

For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON – The National Association of State Workforce Agencies’ (NASWA) applauds the bipartisan effort in Congress to pass the FY 2018 Omnibus budget bill and secure vitally needed funding for our nation’s workforce system.

The Omnibus bill not only restores funding for our Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and Employment Service programming proposed to be cut during FY 2018 budget process, but also provides sorely needed increases for a host of workforce programs vital to workforce and economic development success across the nation.

Below is a comparison between the FY 2018 Omnibus bill and current funding levels for NASWA’s key priorities:

APPLAUDED INVESTMENT IN THE NATIONAL WORKFORCE SYSTEM: 

  • $70M increase in investment for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult Employment & Training, Youth Activities, and Dislocated Workers
  • Employment services (Wagner-Peyser) decreased by $5M but the restoration of these necessary career services funds, versus the proposal to eliminate the program, will help strengthen the economy
  • Maintain Investment for Governors’ statewide workforce needs at 15%
  • Help states improve the integrity of the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Program, with investment in the UI Integrity Center of at least $6M per year
  • Increased investment in reemployment services programming by $5M
  • Increased investment in apprenticeships of $50M
  • Veterans employment and training services increased investment of about $16M

OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVED INVESTMENT: 

  • Investment in labor market information programs decreased by $5M – this lack of investment hampers the states’ ability to make evidence-based policy decisions
  • Support for UI program operations decrease of $48M – this continued decline in investment could severely affect states’ abilities to retain knowledgeable talent and modernize information systems that are necessary to react to a changing economy

NASWA stands ready and willing to assist and serve in whatever manner necessary to help sustain and build upon the unprecedented national economic growth experienced over the past two years and looks forward to working with Congress and the administration in support of our FY 2018 legislative priorities.

Find a comprehensive version of NASWA’s 2018 Legislative Priorities here.

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About the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (www.naswa.org): NASWA is the national organization representing all 50 state workforce agencies, District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. These agencies deliver training, employment, career, business, and wage and hour services, in addition to administering unemployment insurance, veteran reemployment, and labor market information programs. NASWA provides policy expertise, shares promising state practices, and promotes state innovation and leadership in workforce development.