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2011 eventsAssociation Quarterly Meeting
Holyoke Mayor Elaine Pluta and Representative Joseph Wagner, Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies address the members of the Association at the Holyoke Transportation Center
Association Quarterly Meeting in Fall River focuses on Advanced Manufacturing
(L-R) George Matouk, John Matouk & Co., Nancy Snyder, Commonwealth Corporation, Dr. Michael Goodman, Dept. of Public Policy at UMass Dartmouth, and Carlos Martinez-Vela, John Adams Innovation Institute
US Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Carmen Ortiz Joins Association Holiday Meeting
As one of our featured "Agents of Change," Carmen Ortiz, US Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, spoke to the Association in Boston this past December. Past Events:2010Skills2Compete Massachusetts: Report and Recommendations Released Lantigua Pledges to Bring Jobs Back to Lawrence, MA Patrick-Murray Administration Training Awards 2009 2008 2007 The Life Sciences Engines: Economic and Workforce Development Governor Patrick Attends Meeting to Address High Performing Workforce Boards and ABE/ESOL Reform Implementing a Change Agenda: Annual Meeting 2007 Examining Workforce Globalization: A Bristol-Myers Squibb Case Study January 2007 Governor Deval Patrick Sworn into Office 2006 "Even Skilled Workforce Needs More Skills," by John Lipa. Boston Globe, November 6, 2006 Crystal Eagle Awarded to Senator Jack Hart Effective Strategies to Engage Youth in Workforce Systems The "White Paper" Recommendations Crystal Eagle Awarded to Senator Mark Montigny DWD Hosts Workforce Summit 2006 10th Annual Association Meeting:Setting the Table for Change Crystal Eagle Awarded to Former Hampden County REB Chair Peter Daboul 2005 A Critical Time for the US Workforce System Crystal Eagle Awarded to Therese Murray 2010
Report and Recommendations Released
High Hopes Despite High Joblessness - Lantigua to Tackle Unemployment Issues in Lawrence October 7, 2010 Andover Country Club, Andover, Merrimack Valley .  . Lawrence Mayor William Lantigua addressed attendees of the Quarterly Association Meeting in Andover. . “For everyone who is a part of our administration…we’re very aggressive trying to bring business back to Lawrence, and trying to do it without taking jobs away from neighboring communities.” - Mayor Lantigua . . . . Patrick-Murray Administration Makes Significant Training Awards1- $3.2 Million for Training in Healthcare Industry Jobs Read the Release 2- $2 million funds 11 Learn at Work programs Read the Release 3- Funding for summer jobs a boost for 4,700 additional youth Read the Release .
. . . . Massachusetts Jobs and Workforce Summit June 22, 1010 Publick House, Sturbridge, MA . . . Congressman John Tierney received Association Crystal Eagle Award at Annual Meeting .
. . . © 2010 Randy H. Goodman . Mass Workforce Board Association Chair Bill Tinti presents Governor Deval Patrick Congressman John Tierney with Association Crystal Eagle Award at Jobs and Workforce Summit held in Sturbridge for his leadership on workforce and education issues . READ Jobs and Workforce Summit Report . . Governor Deval Patrick was the Featured Speaker at the Summit, which was attended by more than 300 business, labor, education, community and workforce leaders. . The Summit was co-sponsored by: Massachusetts Workforce Board Association, the Workforce Solutions Group, and SkillWorks. . . . . . Dr. Gary Gottlieb, Partners Health Care Dr. Andy Sum, Penter for Labor Market Studies Angelo Sabatalo, Nypro University Steven Tamasi, Boston Centerless Dr. John Sbrega, Bristol Community College Harneen Chernow, 1199 Training and Upgrading Fund Don Anderson, Workforce Central Career Center . Read CLMS report presented by Dr. Andy Sum at the Summit "An Assessment of Conditions in Massachusetts Labor Markets in 2009: Comparisons of the Numbers and Characteristics of Job Vacancies with the Pool of Unemployed and Underutilized Labor in the Commonwealth and Their Implications for Workforce Development Policy" PDF . . . . Governor Patrick meets with Workforce Board Chairs from across Massachusetts .
. Workforce Boards from the 16 workforce investment regions met with Governor Deval Patrick and Secretary Joanne Goldstein March 17, 2010 in the Governor's Council Chambers at the State House. The meeting focused on the jobs and workforce agenda and the role WIBs play in training and placing residents in jobs and helping companies grow and remain competitive in the state. . Read Success Stories from people placed in jobs by the Career Centers. . . . . . Green Industries in Massachusetts - Asking the Commonwealth's Job Seekers to Think Green . The Association's March 4, 2010 Quarterly Meeting at Greenfield Community College, speakers answered questions on the job opportunities in the clean energy and green industries in the state. Speakers also included Alex Risley Schroeder- Green Careers Coach at the Franklin/Hampshire REB, Nancy Snyder- Commonwealth Corporation, and Mary Beth Campbell- the Clean Energy Center. .
. A panel of local Green employers (l-r) .
. 2009 . . Don't Freeze Workforce Training Fund . . . . . .
. Congressman John Tierney and USDOL Assistant Secretary, Jane Oates, Hold "Listening Session" on WIA Reauthorization at Merrimack College . Read testimony of: Association Chair William Tinti . Greater Lowell WIB Chair , Kevin Coughlin . Massachusetts Workforce Board ARRA UPDATES . Workforce Boards, local elected officials and regional partners have begun planning with the Commonwealth for implementation of new ARRP workforce education and training resources. Contact your local WIB . . . . Former Secretary Suzanne Bump is Recognized by the Association .
. Suzanne Bump receives the Association Crystal Eagle Award from Chairman William Tinti and Immediate Past Chair John Lipa at the Quarterly Meeting December 15, 2009. The Meeting focused on the Film Industry and had presentations from Nicholas Paleologos (Mass Film Office), Joseph DiLorenzo (Plymouth ROCK Studios) and Mark Carey (Quincy Film Bureau and Discover Quincy). . . . . . The Film Industry's Impact on Massachusetts Labor .
(l-r) Nicholas Paleologos; Joseph DiLorenzo; Maryellen Brett, Mark Carey, Joseph DiLorenzo . The Quarterly Meeting on December 15, 2009 focused on the Film Industry and had presentations from Nicholas Paleologos (Mass Film Office), Joseph DiLorenzo (Plymouth ROCK Studios) and Mark Carey (Quincy Film Bureau and Discover Quincy). Mayor Thomas Koch of Quincy gave the welcoming address at the meeting. . . . . . . Addressing WIA Reauthorization - Governor Patrick and Congressman Tierney join WIBs in discussing the bill .
Governor Patrick and Congressman John Tierney addressed the October Association Quarterly Meeting on WIA Reauthorization in Salem. Also presenting were Senator Tom McGee, Salem Mayor Kimberly Driscoll, Secretary Suzanne Bump and William Tinti, Association Chair. . . . . . Association elects William Tinti to succeed John Lipa as Chair at Annual Meeting .
. Bill Tinti (l) Chair of the North Shore WIB succeeds outgoing Association Chair and member of the Berkshire REB (r) John Lipa at Annual Meeting in Williamstown . . . . . Association Quarterly Meeting, March 5, 2009, Holyoke Community College .
Secretary Suzanne Bump shares laugh with Association Chair John Lipa at Quarterly Meeting . .
Holyoke Mayor Michael Sullivan and Hampden REB Chair Joe Peters updated Association members on their regions workforce efforts . 2008 . . .
. Association Meeting December 11, 2008 at the Bentley University Conference Center featured The New England Council President and CEO, James Brett (above with Association Chairman John Lipa) and new Department of Workforce Development Director Michael Taylor (above) . . . . . Fall Association Meeting + The Readiness Project Report .
. Association Fall Meeting featured new Education Secretary, Paul Reville, Bridgewater State College President Dana Mohler-Faria and Brockton Mayor James Harrington . Read the Readiness Project Final REPORT . . . . . .
SkillWorks Launches Phase II Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and Massachusetts Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Suzanne Bump joined with Congressman John Tierney, Paul Grogan, President of the Boston Foundation and Boston PIC Chair Gary Gottlieb in launching Phase II of the highly successful workforce initiative. Skillworks has approved funding for the Workforce Solutions Group to continue public policy advocacy. Joining as new members of the leadership team in addition to the Mass Workforce Board Association, the Mass Communities Action Network, the Mass AFL-CIO and the Crittenton Women's Union are the Mass Business Roundtable, the Center for Labor Market Studies and the Workforce Investment Association of Mass, with the support of the Strategy Group. . . . . . . Workforce Leadership Conference 2008 . Association Annual Meeting and Leadership Conference held May 15-16, 2008 at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem. Annual Meeting Agenda PDF . Workforce Leadership and Innovation: Strategies to Close the Skills Gap . .
. Congressman John Tierney (r) is joined by Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, Noth Shore WIB Chair Bill Tinti (l) and Association Chair John Lipa . .
. Mary Sarris, Executive Director of the North Shore WIB is presented with the Association Marble Apple Award for Workforce Ddevelopment Leadership by Bill Tinti (l) and John Lipa (r) . . . . . High Performing Workforce Boards: Making it Work for Your Region, March 11, 2008, Whistler House Museum of Art, Lowell .
DWD Director David Mackley addresses Association Members . . 2007 . December 17, 2007 at the Broad Institute, "The Life Sciences Engines: Economic and Workforce Development" .
Chairman John Lipa introduces Dr. Eric Lander . Speakers included, Dr. Eric Lander, founding director of the Broad Institute and one of the principal leaders of the Human Genome Project. Eric and colleagues are using these findings to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the basis of human disease. Secretary Suzanne Bump outlined Governor Patrick's Life Science Initiative, Dr. Dan Monti, Sociology Department, Boston University spoke on his study, Immigrant Entrepreneurs in the Massachusetts Biotechnology Industry, Dr. Andy Sum, Center for Labor Market Studies, Northeastern University spoke on the BioPharm Industry in Massachusetts (see Power Point below) and J. Lynn Griesemer, Ed.D., M.P.A, UMass Donahue Institute, discussed the Life Sciences Talent Initiative (see Power Point below) and updates were presented by the hosts, the Metro North Regional Employment Board.
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. . . . . . Governor Patrick Attends the meeting of the Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board at the Skyline Technical Center in Worcester: Key Discussions Items Include High Performing WIBs and Reforms to the ABE/ESOL Workplace Based Education Efforts .
Governor Patrick and Secretary Bump listen to presenters at MWIB Meeting . Chairman John Lipa addresses the MWIB on role Mass AFL-CIO President Bob Haynes makes point of private sector led workforce boards in about the need for new revenue to achieving a high performance workforce system finance workforce programs . . .
Central Mass REB Chair Ted Coghlin provides a tour to Secretary Bump and members of the MWIB of the Skyline Technical Center, a state of the art voc-tech facility . . . Read about Skyline Technical HS . High Performing WIB Criteria Approved by MWIB . . . . . . . Association Quarterly Meeting at Northern Essex Community College Lawrence Campus featured College President David Hartleb, House Labor and Workforce Chairman David Torrisi and Lawrence Mayor Michael Sullivan .
Committee on Labor and Workforce Development Chairman David Torrisi and Lawrence Mayor Michael Sullivan present their priorities to WIBs across Massachusetts . . . . . . . Thursday September 20, 9:30 am at Northern Essex Community College Lawrence Campus . .
. Northern Essex Community College President David Hartleb outlines major workforce development initiatives at the College while Lawrence Mayor Michael Sullivan, Labor and Workforce Chairman David Torrisi and John Lipa, WIB Association Chair look on . .
. Nancy Snyder, President of Commonwealth Corporation and Jennifer James Price, Undersecretary of the Executive Office of Workforce Development were presenters at the Quarterly Meeting . .
Association Chair John Lipa listens to comments of House Chairman David Torrisi's comments to members of the Association . . . . . . Association Annual Meeting and Workforce Leadership Conference held at the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge focused on Implementing a Change Agenda. May 17-18, 2007. .
Secretary Suzanne Bump shares a laugh with Chairman John Lipa and USDOL Administrator Grace Kilbane during presentation by Dr. Andrew Sum at Annual Meeting .
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. Secretary Suzanne Bump (l) and USDOL Regional Administrator, Grace Kilbane, (r) address attendees at Annual Meeting . .
. Claire Davidson, tour guide and Norman Rockwell model, points out subtleties in Rockwell's painting "Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas" from McCall's Magazine December 1967 . .
. Ellen Spear, John Lipa, Laurie Norton Moffit and Heather Boulger (l-r) participate in a presentation on the Berkshires Creative Economy in the Stockbridge Room of the Rockwell Museum with walls holding all Saturday Evening Post covers painted by Norman Rockwell . .
. . John Lipa, Association Chair presents "Marble Apple" award to Nancy Snyder of the Boston Private Industry Council for her workforce leadership . . . . . . . The Bristol-Myers Squibb Case Study: Association Quarterly Meeting focuses on workforce globalization and connecting workforce and economic development .
. (l-r) John Lipa, Chair of the Association, Theresa Kane Ph.D., Chair of the North Central Mass. WIB, Robert Culver, President and CEO, MassDevelopment and Shiping Zheng, Chair of International Studies, Bentley College led presentations at the Quarterly Meeting, March 13, 2007 at Devens on the June decision by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), a $50 billion global pharmaceutical company, to select Devens as the location for a new $660 million bio-manufacturing facility that will eventually employ 550. They describes local and international efforts to respond to skilled worker competition from China, India, Ireland and Singapore as a result of workforce globalization, and its implications for regional workforce strategies in the state. . .
. Some of the attendees from business, labor, education and workforce leaders from across Massachusetts . . . Bob Culver addresses audience question Dr. Zheng outlines globalization impacts . . . . . . Governor Deval Patrick Sworn into Office .
. Governor Deval Patrick sworn in by Senate President Robert Travaglini, while his wife, Diane Patrick, holds bible given to John Quincy Adams by Amistad slaves who Adams had helped to free. . "I know we can have more and better jobs, and a stronger economy. But we will need the best prepared workforce on the planet...Change is not always comfortable or convenient or welcome. But it what we hoped for, what we have worked for, what you voted for, and what you shall have." Excerpts from Inaugural Address January 4, 2007 .
. The Massachusetts Workforce Board Association congratulates Governor Deval Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray and looks forward to working with them and the new administration as they "make workforce development—meaning preparing people for opportunities—a central feature of the administration. I think it means that every sector is planned around workforce development, so, in other words, if you think about developing particular industries, what is the plan for assuring that those industries will have the people they need with the skills those people need in order for that industry to thrive? And so I think that means better coordination among the leaders of public education, including public higher education, around transitional assistance, and also the involvement of business. And we’ll have to be part of a conversation on how it is we plan for the skills we need. (Excerpt from comments of Governor-elect Patrick at SkillWorks/Workforce Solutions Group forum read more) . 2006 . . . Even skilled workforce needs more skillsNovember 6, 2006 . WHILE IT is encouraging to see the Commonwealth's skilled workforce noted as a competitive advantage ("Study: Mass.'s high costs erode workforce," Business, Oct. 30), an economic policy focused solely on keeping skilled workers here fails to address the breadth of our challenge. Certainly, controlling the escalating housing costs that chase skilled workers away is critical, but any effective strategy to maintain the workforce that drives our economy must also build the skills of the workers who are staying here. . Even in our high-skill economy, one-third of our workforce lack the education and skills to get a job that pays a self-sufficiency wage. Investing in effective job training, adult education, and community college programs that are linked to industry and the jobs employers need to fill is essential to maintaining our advantage. . Education Commissioner David Driscoll, as quoted in Scot Lehigh's Oct. 31 column "Candor on our school system," got it right when he said of secondary education, "It has to be completely overhauled. I think we almost have to start with a blank piece of paper." The same is true of the workforce system. The next governor should make this a cornerstone of his or her economic development policy. . JOHN LIPA The writer chairs the Mass. Workforce Board Association. . . . . . . . Crystal Eagle Awarded to Senator Jack Hart . Association Membership recognizes Senator Jack Hart at the Quarterly Meeting, December 12, 2006, held at the Venezia in Dorchester for his leadership on behalf of workers and employers in Massachusetts. .
. Chairman John Lipa is joined by Neil Sullivan, Boston PIC, in presenting award to Senator Jack Hart for his leadership in the enactment of the Economic Stimulus Bill/Workforce Solutions Act . .
L-R Emmanuel Allen, Boston PIC, John Lipa, Chair WIB Association, Michael O’Neil, Boston PIC Youth Council Chair, Senator Jack Hart, Marvin Moore and Neil Sullivan, Boston PIC . . . . . . Quarterly Meeting Focuses on Effective Strategies to Engage Youth in Workforce System . Featuring a panel presentation moderated by Neil Sullivan, Executive Director, Boston PIC. Panelists included Loretta Dansereau, River East STC Local Partnership and Gary Larese, River West STC Local Partnership of Hampden County; Michael O’Neill, Chair, Boston PIC Youth Council and Emmanuel Allen and Marvin Moore, Dropout Recovery Specialists, Boston PIC. .
Marvin Moore and Emmanuel Allen discussed their efforts to reach out to dropouts from the Boston Public Schools. . Their work is based upon the report: Too Big to Be Seen: The Invisible Dropout Crisis in Boston and America, a report from the Boston Youth Transitions Task Force, May 2006 PDF .
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Andrew Vizulis, CEO of Mindspark and Chair of the Metro South West REB, presents Association White Paper recommendations to Andy Sum, Director of the Northeastern University Center for Labor Market Studies and Co Chair of the Patrick/Murray Workforce Development and Training Working Group . . White Paper: Keeping Our Commonwealth Competitive: A Workforce Prescription For The New Governor .
Sal Pina, Executive Director of the Brockton Area WIB was presented with the Association Golden Apple Award by Chairman John Lipa for his tireless efforts on behalf of the Brockton Area. Sal will be leaving his post at the end of December. . .
. Andrew Sum, Director of the Northeastern University Center for Labor Market Studies and Co Chair of the Patrick/Murray Workforce Development and Training Working Group, heard from Association members their workforce recommendations for the new administration. Sal Pina, formerly of the Brockton Area WIB briefs Dr. Sum. . .
. . . . Crystal Eagle Awarded to Senator Mark Montigny at Quarterly Meeting . Association Quarterly Meeting held Thursday, September 28, 2006 at the Acushnet Company Worldwide headquarters in Fairhaven, MA. New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang joins Association members and members of the Greater New Bedford WIB in recognizing the contributions to the workforce of Senator Mark Montigny. . .
. Tony Sapienza, Association Vice Chair and President and Chief Operating Officer, Joseph Abboud Manufacturing Company presents award to Senator Mark Montigny . . . . . . . USDOL Regional Administrator Grace Kilbane addresses members and prioritizes workforce-economic development linkages and services to youth. .
. US Department of Labor Regional Administrator Grace Kilbane address Association members while (l to r) Ron Rouillard, Acushnet Company, Senator Montigny, Mayor Scott Lang and Tony Sapienza look on. . .
. Mayor Scott Lang and Senator Mark Montingy .
. Members of the Greater New Bedford WIB join Mayor Scott Lang and the Association in recognizing the leadership of Senator Mark Montigny .
. Association members at recent meeting at the Acushnet Company in Fairhaven . . . . . . . DWD Sponsored the Workforce Summit held September 25, 2006 in Westborough .
. DWD Director Jane Edmonds introduces Ted Hoff, Vice President, Learning, IBM .
Chairman Dan Bosley addresses Summit participants joined by (l-r) Carmel Martin, US Senate HELP Committee General Counsel and Education Advisor to Senator Kennedy, Don Gillis, Mass Workforce Board Association and Neil Sullivan, Boston PIC . . . . . . . . . . . Massachusetts Workforce Board Association 10th Annual Meeting and Workforce Leadership Conference May 18-19, 2006 .
. Association Chairman John Lipa kicked off the Association Leadership Conference and Annual Meeting commenting on the theme of this annual event—“Setting the Table for Change”. Why that theme? As we all know from our personal and professional experience, we live in rapidly changing times. The economy is shifting; the requirements to compete globally and as Thomas L. Friedman wrote about in his book, The World Is Flat, these great changes taking place in our time, driven by lightning-swift advances in technology and communications put people all over the globe in touch as never before-creating an explosion of wealth in India and China, and challenging the rest of us to run even faster just to stay in place. . During the past year our collective efforts have begun to reap read dividends. The Association is stronger because of each local workforce board and each partner. We are on the precipice of major new legislation, which will help foster increased investment in our workers and businesses but also greater efficiency and accountability in our complex state and federal workforce system. That is due to each of your efforts—along with our partners in the State legislature and across the state. . As we look ahead to electing a new Governor in November—whether it be a republican, democrat or an independent—we need to engage the future leadership of this state in a dialogue about jobs, skills and the economy, if Massachusetts is to have a viable future. We are involved in organizing a forum on June 29th to understand where each candidate would take our State and learn their strategies for job creation and retention, adult education, and skills training. Register for forum. . The most recent Boston Globe poll, found a majority of people who moved out of Massachusetts last year report that they are not coming back. Some 232,945 people moved out of the state between 2000 and 2005. The top reason people gave for leaving Massachusetts was a better job, followed by the cost of housing, family ties, and the weather. [We all understand the issue of the weather!] . As workforce leaders—from business, labor, education, and government—we need to reevaluate how we are doing business—so we too can respond to these changes. We need to better connect education—workforce and economic development—through innovative partnerships—based upon getting results—not competition for scarce resources or resistance to change.
Association leadership heard from Dr. Kathy Schatzberg, President of Cape Cod Community College and the strategic partnership of education leaders in southeastern Massachusetts, Connect. . .
Cape Cod Community College President Dr. Kathy Schatzberg
. Members began a process to design an effective workforce system for the Commonwealth based upon a strategic value driven approach for presentation to Legislators, the next State administration and the Workforce Accountability Task Force. A more detailed plan will be formulated in the coming months. . . . . . . . . Crystal Eagle Awarded to Peter Daboul .
John Lipa, Association Chair, Peter Daboul, Bill Ward, Hampden REB Executive Director and Mike Niziolek, Chair Hampden REB and Senior VP Hasbro Games . . Hampden REB former Chair Peter Daboul was recognized for his contributions to workforce development and efforts to create a more unified and efficient workforce system in Western Massachusetts. Read about the the merger. . Hampden County Workforce Agencies Complete Merger . Springfield Mayor Charles V. Ryan announced the merger March 31, saying the employees of the city led consortium will be transferred to the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County and will no longer be city employees. The Regional Employment Board is a business-led, nonprofit corporation that serves as the primary policymaking authority in developing workforce skills in the county. Read more... . Work in Process: Training Agencies Merge in Search of Greater Efficiency (BusinessWest April 17, 2006) Read article... . 2005 . Critical Time for US Workforce System! David Bradley briefs Association members at Quarterly meeting in Northampton .
. David Bradley, CEO of the National Workforce Association (NWA)/USA Works . David briefed members on federal budget status for workforce development including the Harkins-Specter amendment to restore significant funds to workforce development which was adopted. . The Franklin-Hampshire REB hosted the Association members March 15 Quarterly meeting at the Hotel Northampton. In her welcoming remarks, REB Chair Donna Jeanloz described Franklin Hampshire as the largest workforce region geographically, with less than 4% of the state’s population. The majority of employers in the region are small business owners; 80% have fewer than 20 employees. Manufacturing was once the largest source of employment in the Pioneer Valley, but now accounts for 11% of all employees. Currently employment is found primarily in Health Care, Social Service agencies, education, hospitality, and the arts. . . Greenfield Mayor Christine Forgey and Franklin Hampshire REB Chair Donna Jeanloz . Christine Forgey, Mayor of Greenfield, spoke of her communities focus on economic development, and linking these efforts with the REB workforce development strategies. Greenfield hopes to attract new and expanding businesses to the area based upon the skills of the workforce. . Michael Bardsley, Chair of the Northampton City Council welcomed the group on behalf of Mayor Mary Clare Higgins. He spoke about the changing character of the city from primarily a college town to a growing community in the arts, historic preservation and cultural development. Mayor Higgins key initiatives include re-development of an old hospital site to accommodate both housing and business operations, and developing a sustainability plan for the city through job development. . The keynote speaker was David Bradley, CEO of National Workforce Association and USA/Works who is advocating on behalf of WIBs, One Stop Centers, and low-income Americans, meeting with members of Congress as they debate the Federal budget, WIA Re-authorization, and Federal policies concerning labor and workforce development. .
. . . The Members of the Association met on December 7, 2005 at the Worcester Country Club. Representative Michael Rodrigues co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, provided an update on the status of workforce development legislation now in the Conference Committee. (See Legislative Update) Alan Macdonald, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, provided the business community's perspective on health care costs. .
and Mass Business Roundtable's Alan Macdonald . . . . . . Crystal Eagle Awarded to Therese Murray . . The Association recognized Chairwoman Therese Murray, at the September 28, 2005 Quarterly Meeting held at the Plimoth Plantation, for her support of workforce development and WIBs in Massachusetts. .
. Chairwoman Murray shown receiving the award from Association Chair John Lipa, Maralin Manning, South Coastal WIB Vice Chair and Colleen Price former South Coastal WIB Executive Director. . . |
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Citing the Bush Administration’s proposed cuts of $4.5B in Labor and Health & Human Services (HHS) appropriations, while proposing a $3.5 B increase in Foreign Aid, Bradley defined these misaligned priorities as a “disconnect between Federal and regional programs and needs.” The President’s budget eliminates 141 domestic programs, and cuts $701M from workforce system training funds. However Bradley said many members of Congress, on both sides of the aisle, believe the cuts in HHS and Labor appropriations go too deep. A budget amendment introduced by Senators Arlen Specter and Tom Harkins, which would put $7B back into spending for HHS/Labor programs, was debated on the Senate floor and passed by a 73-27 vote, with half of Republican Senators supporting the amendment and subsequently adopted as part of the Budget Resolution. He suggested checking the NWA web site 
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