For more than 12 million secondary and postsecondary students across the country, career and technical education (CTE) programs provide pathways to continued education and good jobs. Programs of study in CTE combine academic instruction with hands-on learning and occupational skills training for careers in in-demand fields like health care and information technology.
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More than half of the governors of states, territories and commonwealths have outlined their priorities for 2024 in state of the state or commonwealth addresses, as well as inaugural addresses for new and re-elected governors, with several more anticipated over the next few weeks. The nation’s governors are nearly evenly split between the two parties, with 27 Republicans and 23 Democrats holding office as of January 8, 2024. Eleven states will hold gubernatorial elections this year. Read more about the themes of interest to Goodwill and the people we serve.
Congress averted a partial government shutdown again, and this time we have mother nature to thank in part. With a snowstorm in the DC area impacting lawmakers’ ability to return home, the Senate and House passed a stopgap funding measure on the same day, pushing the January 19 and February 2 shutdown deadlines to March 1 and 8.
Congress returned from the holiday recess and attempted to pick up where they left off, focusing on measures to fund the government with deadlines fast approaching.
READ MORE from Congress Returns with a Short Window to Accomplish Goals
As the first year of the 118th Congress comes to an end there have been numerous reports highlighting that this Congress has been on a sluggish pace in passing legislation and has been the least productive since the Great Depression. In this polarized environment it can feel at times that our advocacy efforts are not making an impact.
The House Education and the Workforce Committee recently took a significant step toward reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) with the introduction of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act. The bill is the product of months-long bipartisan negotiations in the committee on an update to the primary federal workforce development law for the first time since 2014.
READ MORE from House Committee Pushes for Bipartisan Update to Workforce Law
On the heels of Giving Tuesday, Goodwill Industries International joins our partners in the Charitable Giving Coalition in calling on Congress to expand charitable giving incentives to all taxpayers. Since 2012, Giving Tuesday has marked the beginning of the year-end season of giving, during which Americans display unmatched generosity through charitable donations.
In a rare show of bipartisanship for a deeply divided Congress, lawmakers recently passed a second stopgap funding bill to avert the government shutdown that threatened to take effect after the midnight deadline on Friday, November 17. The continuing resolution (CR) temporarily extends funding for federal agencies and programs into 2024 using staggered deadlines.
While considered an “off” year, voters in 37 states went to the polls and exercised their right to vote on state and and local offices, special elections, ballot questions, constitutional amendments and more. Gubernatorial elections were held in Kentucky, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Governor Andy Beshear (D) won another term. Investing in higher education and workforce
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides affordable, high-speed home internet service to more than 21 million households across the country. With support from the ACP, low-income families, people with disabilities, students, rural residents, and older Americans that struggle to get online can now access virtual learning, find jobs, and participate in the digital economy.
READ MORE from Tell Congress to Continue Funding Affordable Internet
Before October comes to an end, it is important to recognize National Disability Awareness Month (NDEAM). In his Presidential Proclamation, President Biden observed, “a workforce that includes people with disabilities is one that is stronger and more effective.”
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The votes for the Speaker of the House aren’t the only votes on which we’re focusing. On Thursday, October 26th Goodwill is joining thousands of nonpartisan organizations nationwide to celebrate Vote Early Day, a civic holiday created to empower Americans to share their voices by casting their ballot before Election Day.
