WASHINGTON – Today, National Governors Association Chair Governor Spencer Cox of Utah and Vice Chair Governor Jared Polis of Colorado released the following statement on the need for Congress to pass a bipartisan reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
“Governors across the country face pressing workforce challenges that require real solutions to ensure businesses have access to a skilled workforce pipeline and workers have access to training and employment opportunities that lead to good-paying jobs.
“That is why, today, Governors call on Congress to pass a bipartisan reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) that would preserve and strengthen the role of Governors in WIOA, provide states and territories greater flexibility and autonomy in administering federal workforce programs, and support innovative approaches to workforce development that reach more people in their states and territories.
“With the bipartisan passage of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act in the House of Representatives earlier this year, we look to the Senate and urge consideration of legislation that builds upon and strengthens key areas in the House-passed bill.
“That includes expanding the Governors’ discretion over statewide activities, empowering Governors to determine local areas, establishing a dedicated funding source for Individual Training Accounts and Youth Apprenticeships, and providing states and territories the opportunity to consolidate Title I funds into a single grant. Governors also hope that Congress will consider increasing the funding for WIOA proportional to the impact we hope it has on the workforce.
“Now is the time to reauthorize WIOA and set businesses and workers up for success.”
