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User Name's avatar

Great perspective as always, Nick. Is my understanding of legislative process correct that Congress (particularly the Senate) need at least some Democrats to pass any budget that makes substantial changes to WIOA?

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Nick Beadle's avatar

I think so. Reconciliation normally applies to mandatory spending, which WIOA is not. I think if they went for a merger of the formula programs at current funding levels, they would be good with Dems. If they go with the block grant plan, they won't be.

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User Name's avatar

Makes sense. I suppose the biggest risk is *no* legislative action, at which point the Executive does whatever it wishes to the status quo.

Sadly, as you mentioned earlier; with so much of the social safety net linked to employment, and potential mass disruption from ai, AND low- mid- skill vacancies from an anti-immigrant posture... it's not the time to tear down the incumbent system and start from scratch. The WIOA system isn't perfect, but the infrastructure is there for an effective system with the right legislative changes.

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