2010 LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
Good Jobs for a New Decade
The issue West Virginians are perhaps most anxious about is jobs. A new decade is a perfect time to consider if more can be done to help West Virginians obtain and keep good jobs with benefits. I will work on legislation in 2010 that will:
- Re-evaluate our state's job promotion programs - We have many different job promotion programs, including training and education incentives, loans, grants, and tax breaks. But which ones really work? My legislation will make state agencies compare how much we are spending. Those numbers will help guide subsequent state investments in job promotion programs. We also need to ensure that future spending on job programs is geared toward areas where job growth is expected, such as health care, energy efficiency and green jobs.
- Make sure we are getting our fair share of federal funding - The stimulus money was intended to help states retain existing jobs and create opportunities. West Virginia has not applied for or drawn down all of the funds to which we are entitled – I will fight to ensure that we do.
- Require more transparency and accountability - Our state law includes some requirements that those who receive job promotion funding report the number of jobs that are created. My legislation will require much more detailed reporting (i.e., not just the number of jobs, but salary and benefits information) and will be available to the public on the Internet.
Barbara at meeting with women legislators group at Department of Labor
regarding obtaining federal stimulus money for job training programs
Top row (l-r): Marie Rietmann, WAND Public Policy Director; Miriam Pemberton, Research Fellow, Institute for Policy Studies; Senator Nan Grogan Orrock (GA); Delegate Barbara Evans Fleischauer (WV) Representative Trisha Beck (UT); Senator Beverly Marrero (TN); Dr. William Spriggs, Assistant Secretary for Policy of the Labor Department
Bottom row (l-r): Representative Delia Garcia (KS); Katherine Archuleta, Chief of Staff of the Labor Department; Delegate Bonnie Brown (WV); Representative Kathy Hawken (ND)
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