Workforce Florida

Workforce Florida Weekly Update 8-01-07

CONTENTS
The State & Regions
The Nation
Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities
Upcoming Meetings, Conferences & Events
Odds & Ends

The State & Regions

Hillsborough County Public Schools Recognized For Top Graduation Rates Among Top 25 U.S. Metro Markets. TAMPA BAY, FL (August 1, 2007) – Hillsborough County Public Schools was recognized by the Tampa Bay Partnership for achieving the highest graduation rate among the Top 25 Metro Areas in the U.S. A “Bigger, Bolder, Better Special Achievement” Award was presented to Superintendent MaryEllen Elia by Tampa Bay Partnership Chair Dr. Judy Genshaft at the Partnership’s Board Meeting held July 27, 2007 at the USF Research Park. Education quality and success is critical to our economy,” said Dr. Genshaft, President of the University of South Florida. “The Tampa Bay Partnership is thrilled to recognize the efforts of Hillsborough County Public Schools. Graduation from high school provides the basic gateway to students and I applaud the entire Hillsborough County School District for this achievement. The ranking was based upon EPE Research Center & Education Week’s Diplomas Count 07. A comparison of Central City School District Graduation Rates in Top 25 Metro Areas, based upon this data, was compiled by the Tampa Bay Partnership Center for Business Intelligence (see attached chart.) The comparison showed Hillsborough County Public Schools ranked #1 with higher graduation rates than San Francisco, Seattle, San Diego, Phoenix and Washington, DC. “The business community celebrates the achievement of the Hillsborough County school district,” said Roy McCraw, Regional President for Wachovia and Vice Chair of the Tampa Bay Partnership. “Encouraging our students to complete their education is vital to having a qualified workforce to attract quality companies and jobs to our region.” “Quality education is a key factor in our region’s success,” added Steve Mason, President & CEO of BayCare Health System and Treasurer with the Partnership. “Understanding how we compare to other major markets around the country and recognizing our successes is important for our region’s competitiveness.” Access the complete report at: http://www.edweek.org/ew/toc/2007/06/12/index.html. The Tampa Bay Partnership is the regional organization that brings the communities of Tampa Bay together to accelerate life’s possibilities through advocacy, marketing, research and leadership. Founded in 1994, the Tampa Bay Partnership provides regional economic development for the metro areas of Tampa/St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Lakeland, and Sarasota/Bradenton/Venice and the counties of Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota.

State revenue estimate down by nearly $1.5 billion (by Bill Kaczor © 2007 Miami Herald Media Company - posted on Wed, Aug. 01, 2007) Florida's slowing economy is expected to cost the state government nearly $1.5 billion in lost taxes and other revenue in this budget year and the one that ended June 30, state economists said Wednesday. They blamed the revenue shortfall on an unexpectedly long housing market slump. The revised estimate includes about $380.5 million less than expected during the last part of the 2006-07 budget year and $1.1 billion this year.
Legislative leaders had anticipated the latest bad news from the Revenue Estimating Conference and last month scheduled a special session for Sept. 18 to adjust the $71 billion budget that lawmakers passed in May. "Though the revenue revisions will pose major state budget changes, we must stay focused on the longer view," House Policy and Budget Council Chairman Ray Sansom, R-Destin, said in a statement. "This slow growth period will eventually end and normal growth will resume."
The economists said Florida has all the elements of a recession but technically that term only can be for a broader economic decline, not one affecting just a state. The housing market now is expected to return to normal in 2009, but that is later than had been anticipated when the last revenue estimate was made in March, said Amy Baker, coordinator of the Legislature's Office of Economic and Demographic Research. That most directly has affected stamp taxes on real estate transactions. It also affects sales tax collections for housing-related items such as carpets and appliances but also includes purchases unrelated to housing. It's what's called the "wealth effect," Baker said. "When people believe the housing market's in a funk, that they're not bringing in as much money every year, their house isn't going to be appreciating as much every year, they don't feel as wealthy," she said. So they don't spend money on cars, boats, clothes, restaurant meals and other purchases that have nothing to do with housing. Corporate income taxes collections also have fallen significantly below estimate. The $380.5 million 2006-07 shortfall will be absorbed by the current budget's $1.8 billion reserve fund.
Leaders of the Republican-controlled Legislature and Gov. Charlie Crist, though, have made it clear they intend to make up for the remaining tax deficits through spending cuts. Democrats say all options should be open, including tapping the reserve fund and increasing taxes. They have argued that recent tax cuts that have mostly benefited the wealthy and out-of-state corporations should be rescinded. http://www.miamiherald.com.

The Florida Government Accountability Report provides information on the workforce system. The Florida Government Accountability Report (FGAR) is the most complete monitoring service of Florida's state government available on the Internet. FGAR was created by the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA), the monitoring arm of the Florida Legislature. To learn more about how Workforce Florida, the Agency for Workforce Innovation and the Florida Department of Education’s Workforce Education Program are working together to build Florida’s workforce go to:
http://www.oppaga.state.fl.us/government/s_text_srchres.asp?
txtExpression=Workforce+Florida.

Governor Crist Signs Disaster Response Legislation ~ Encourages Floridians to continue to prepare for hurricane season. TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today ceremonially signed two bills to provide aid to Floridians preparing for and recovering from natural disasters. Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp visited hurricane preparation and recovery sites in Southeast Florida. Governor Crist was joined by Senator Carey Baker (R-Eustis) and Pastor Larry Lynn at the Lady Lake Church of God to ceremonially sign Senate Bill 2482. The legislation provides $1.2 million in tax relief to residents whose homes were destroyed by the tornadoes of December 25, 2006, and February 2, 2007, as well as to the victims of the 2004 hurricanes. “Natural disasters can be devastating to homeowners with recovery taking months and even years,” Governor Crist said. “This bill provides additional help and much needed financial relief to the people of Lady Lake and other Floridians whose homes were damaged by these horrific tornadoes.” In addition, the bill makes vacant land, owned by tax-exempt organizations and prepared to be used as a house of worship, exempt from property taxes. Governor Crist visited the Martin County Emergency Operations Center to ceremonially sign House Bill 449 which increases the penalty for burglaries and thefts committed during a declared state of emergency. Governor Crist was joined by bill sponsors Senator Dave Aronberg (D-Fort Myers) and Representative William Snyder (R-Stuart). “Unfortunately, there are people out there that will take advantage of others in the aftermath of a disaster,” Governor Crist said. “We will not stand by while these criminals prey on Floridians when they are most vulnerable. I thank the Legislature for creating stiffer penalties for these crimes and for helping make Floridians safer when recovering from disasters.” The legislation applies to situations where criminals take advantage of power outages or a reduction of police presence to prey upon victims of a disaster. In addition, the penalties are increased for theft from an emergency vehicle. Criminals arrested under this law may not be released until they appear before a judge. Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp today attended a groundbreaking ceremony at East Elementary School in Charlotte County. The school was severely damaged by Hurricane Charley in 2004. The Lt. Governor also toured the Charlotte County Red Cross which provides Disaster Action Teams for Port Charlotte, Englewood-East and Punta Gorda. The Lt. Governor later visited Punta Gorda to learn about the cities’ preparation and recovery plans. “Thanks to the hard work of Florida’s families and our partners in disaster management, Florida will remain a national leader in emergency management – before, during and after a storm,” said Lt. Governor Kottkamp. To build a family or business disaster plan, please visit www.FloridaDisaster.org.

U.S. Technology Exports Up by $21 Billion in 2007 - 38 Cyberstates – including Florida – See Tech Export Growth Between 2005 and 2006. Washington, DC (July 17, 2007) – U.S. high-tech goods exports increased by 10 percent from $199 billion to $220 billion, while imports rose by 9 percent from $295 billion to $322 billion between 2005 and 2006, according to AeA's first edition of Trade in the Cyberstates 2007, a study released today that looks at high-tech trade flows at the national level and for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. This report is a partner publication to AeA’s annual flagship publication, Cyberstates, which looks at high-tech employment, wages, and other factors at the national and state-by-state level. Trade in the Cyberstates 2007 shows that 2006 was the fourth consecutive year of growing high-tech exports, with increases in all eight industry sectors. The leading growth sectors were industrial electronics (+16%) and communications equipment (+13%). High tech was the nation’s largest export industry in 2006, comprising 21 percent of total U.S. goods exports. In 2006, the United States had an overall trade deficit in high-tech goods of $102 billion. Not surprisingly, the largest deficit with any single country was with China, at $88 billion in 2006. We are not able to discern from the data what percentage of tech imports from China are intra-company transfers from U.S. production facilities abroad that use American technology and know-how and along with inputs from other countries to produce goods shipped back to the United States. The largest high-tech trade surplus for the United States, also not surprising, was with Canada at $18 billion, followed by the European Union at $13 billion in 2006. “Trade is increasingly important for U.S. high-technology companies,” said Matthew Kazmierczak, Vice President, Research and Industry Analysis, AeA. “The world is both their marketplace and their supply chain. This year, for the first time, we have published the tech trade data in this separate report in order to offer a more detailed and comprehensive picture of trade flows. This has allowed us to illustrate how important trade is both at the national and state levels. Trade keeps American business competitive, it serves customers around the world, and it supports American jobs – an often overlooked fact. High-tech exports support 684,000 domestic jobs, according to an estimate derived from the U.S. Department of the Census." High-tech was the second largest industry import, just behind energy products. The largest high tech-import sectors in 2006 were computers and peripheral equipment ($108.1 billion), communications equipment ($68.9 billion), and consumer electronics ($47.9 billion). Thirty-eight cyberstates saw tech export growth between 2005 and 2006. The largest growth was in Texas, California, Oregon, Arizona, and Florida, as measured by dollar increase. California was the leading high-tech export state with $51.8 billion in exports in 2006, followed by Texas with $38.6 billion. Florida, Massachusetts, and New York rounded out the top five. Access the complete release at:
http://www.aeanet.org/PressRoom/prac_TCS_2007.asp.

One Stop Workforce Connection to Host Citrus County Job Fair. The One Stop Workforce Connection will host the Construction and Utilities Industry Job Fair on August 15th from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The event will be held at the Central Florida Community College Ocala Campus in the Klein Conference Center. The construction and utilities industry cluster is expected to grow 10% in the next 4 years. Career seekers interested in a career in construction or utilities will have an opportunity to apply on site with approximately 20 industry-related employers. Candidates are asked to pre-register for the event at www.clmworkforce.com in the Calendar of Events section. If you cannot attend but would more information about the One Stop Workforce Connection, you may do so by calling 352-840-5700 in Marion County, or Toll Free 1-800-434-JOBS. Any Construction or Utilities business interested in recruiting at the job fair should contact Employer Services at 352-873-7950, or register online at www.clmworkforce.com in the Calendar of Events section. For more information, contact:
Blaire Peterson, CLM Workforce Connection Phone: (352) 873-7939 or email at: bpeterson@clmworkforce.com. The One Stop Workforce Connection, a member of the Employ Florida network of workforce services and resources, is funded by and a program of CLM Workforce Connection...Employment solutions that work for business. Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Workforce welcomes people with disabilities. If you need accommodations please call your local Workforce office or (352) 840-5700 ext. 1278. Florida Relay users please dial 711.

The Nation

House Panel Holds Second Hearing On WIA Focused On Program Administration. The House Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Competitiveness held its second and likely final hearing on reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) this week. Unlike the focus of the first Subcommittee's hearing to listen predominately from those groups that receive assistance through the workforce system, the hearing this week allowed local, regional and state administrators the opportunity to share what should be done to improve the system. Subcommittee Chairman Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX) in his introductory remarks said the workforce system must develop the talents of all workers, especially those with disabilities, individuals with low levels of literacy and lack a high school credential. Setting the tone for what was a non-partisan and collegial event, Subcommittee Ranking Member Ric Keller (R-FL) said he is looking forward to working with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to craft the WIA bill and reflected that there is significant work ahead in preparing the legislation. Many on Capitol Hill do not expect the House Subcommittee Chairman to introduce his bill to reauthorize WIA until late this year or even early next year. Charles Ware, Chair of the National Association of State Workforce Board Chairs communicated states' WIA reauthorization priorities using the jointly developed National Governors' Association (NGA) and NASWA policy letter sent to Congress last week as his foundation. Mr. Ware said it is the evolution of our economy from a manufacturing-base to a service-base, coupled with advances in technology and the productivity it brings that requires the workforce system to adjust training opportunities and the way it interacts with businesses to ensure the nation remains competitive globally. He cited a recent nationwide public opinion poll on behalf of the nation's governors conducted by Dr. Frank Luntz that showed 9 out of 10 Americans believe that if our nation fails to innovate, our children and our economy will be left behind. Mr. Ware summarized the NGA/NASWA request noting it is based on the following four principles: (1) enhance program coordination and flexibility; (2) align workforce, education and economic development needs and strengths; (3) enhance training services to workers while creating more transparent accountability systems; and (4) reduce administrative costs. Details of the NGA/NASWA WIA policies are available in the joint letter and attachment sent to Congress on July 17, 2007 posted to the Workforce ATM. Representing the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Mason Petit, a Employment and Training Counselor for Washington State Employment Security said WIA has accelerated the process of shrinking federal leadership in workforce policy in favor of devolution. Further, Mr. Petit said the voice of workers has been almost silenced, the positive contributions of labor unions have been ignored and publicly administered systems have been neglected in favor of various publicly-funded but privately-provided services. Agreeing with the recently approved House Committee on Appropriations report for the Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS) and Education spending bill (H.R. 3043), Mr. Petit said labor exchange activities provided by state employment security agencies should be the primary source of core services, enabling WIA funds to focus on providing intensive and training services. He said the benefits of a publicly-operated statewide labor exchange is it provides early intervention for rapid response, job matching and career counseling, assistance in filing for unemployment insurance (UI) and trade adjustment assistance (TAA) benefits and other services. Mr. Petit concluded by stating it is counterproductive for WIA and Wagner-Peyser programs to compete. A number of Subcommittee Members questioned panelists about the provision to rescind $335 million from WIA funding in the House approved fiscal year 2008 Labor, HHS and Education spending bill. Panelists were universal in expressing concern over the proposed cut, noting it would have a direct impact on services for workers and businesses. A number of panelists also reflected on the importance of Labor Market Information (LMI) in assisting local, regional and state leaders to direct limited resources to services most in need. Panelists expressed agreement with the NGA/NASWA policy to reduce board size noting current requirements are an impediment to governance and effective decision-making. Click here to view the testimony from the hearing: http://edworkforce.house.gov/hearings/hellc072607.shtml.

TAA Reauthorization Introduced In Senate. The Trade and Globalization Adjustment Assistance Act of 2007 (S.1848) was introduced by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Max Baucus (D-MT). The legislation would reauthorize the trade adjustment assistance (TAA) program, scheduled to expire on September 30, 2007. In addition to extending TAA, the bill addresses the impact of globalization and expands trade adjustment assistance coverage to service workers. Click here to view the bill introduced in the U.S. Senate: http://www.workforceatm.org/sections/pdf/2007/s1848.pdf.

U.S. Labor Department offers small businesses tool to aid in hiring of people with disabilities. WASHINGTON, July 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Marking the 17th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced that the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) will make available a new video on how small businesses can save time and money, and increase productivity, by recruiting, hiring and advancing employees with disabilities. The presentation features a recent roundtable of small business owners discussing how their leadership, commitment, proactive efforts and innovative practices have yielded returns on their human capital investments. The video is available on the agency's Web site at: http://www.dol.gov/odep. "This year, we are celebrating the 17th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. While much progress has been made in the last 17 years, still more needs to be done to help workers with disabilities be fully recognized as integral members of our workforce," said Secretary Chao. "To help Americans with disabilities access greater opportunities in our workplaces, this video promotes the fact that recruiting workers with disabilities is a smart business strategy." ODEP is the nation's first assistant secretary-led office that specifically addresses policies that impact the employment of people with disabilities. For example, ODEP has developed methods for the 3,500 One-Stop Career Centers nationwide to serve people with barriers to employment, including individuals with disabilities. In collaboration with the Department's Employment and Training Administration and the Civil Rights Center, ODEP developed a disability checklist to assist with implementation of Section 188 of the Workforce Investment Act at the local level. U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at
http://www.dol.gov.

NASWA Workforce Bulletin – July 27, 2007 Headlines:

HOUSE PANEL HOLDS SECOND HEARING ON WIA FOCUSED ON PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
PERSPECTIVE ON THE HOUSE APPROVED FY 2008 SPENDING BILL
FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR INTRODUCES TAA LEGISLATION
ETA OCCASSIONAL PAPER EVALUATES HIGH-GROWTH JOB TRAINING INITIATIVE
ELECTION OF NASWA EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
REMINDER: NASWA REQUESTS UPDATES ON STATE PERSONNEL CONTACT INFORMATION FOR ITS DATABASE
REGISTRATION FOR NASWA ANNUAL CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 18-21, 2007 IS NOW OPEN
Access the complete articles at:
http://www.workforceatm.org/sections/members/bulletin/bulltemp.cfm?
results_art_filename=bu072707.htm

Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities and Notices

For current information, visit the External Grant Opportunities page.

Featured Opportunity:

(none)

Upcoming Meetings, Conferences and Events

Workforce Florida Board and Related Meetings Schedule:

For up-to-date WFI board meeting info please check the calendar at the WFI website.

August 14, 2007
Workforce Florida Career Council Teleconference Meeting
1580 Waldo Palmer Lane, Suite 1
Tallahassee, Florida
10:30am - 11:30am
http://www.workforceflorida.com/wages/wfi/bcs/0708_calendar.htm

August 15, 2007
Workforce Florida Business Competitiveness Council Teleconference Meeting
1580 Waldo Palmer Lane, Suite 1
Tallahassee, Florida
10:00am - 11:30am
http://www.workforceflorida.com/wages/wfi/bcs/0708_calendar.htm

August 22, 2007
Executive Directors Meeting (Partners)
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Location TBD
Contact: Peggy Dransfield pdransfield@workforceflorida.com.

August 22, 2007
WFI Chair Meeting with Regional Board Chairs
Gallery One Fort Lauderdale-A DoubleTree Guest Suites Hotel
Fort Lauderdale, FL
7:00pm - 9:00pm

August 23, 2007
Board of Directors & Council Meetings
9:00am - 4:00pm
Location TBD
Contact: Peggy Dransfield pdransfield@workforceflorida.com.

Other Meetings/Conferences/Events:

August 22-24, 2007
Florida Association for Persons in Supported Employment Annual State Conference
Walt Disney World Hilton
http://www.flapse.org

September 18-21, 2007
NASWA Annual Conference - Hills to Shore and So Much More!
Hartford, Connecticut
www.naswa.org/hartford2007/home.cfm.

September 24-26, 2007
The U.S. Chamber’s Institute for a Competitive Workforce’s (ICW) Education and Workforce Summit
Washington, DC
http://www.uschamber.com/icw/strategies/icwsummit.htm.

Odds and Ends

New Report Reveals U.S. Poverty Rate Stuck At 11 -15% Since 1972. Why has America's poverty rate remained stagnant between 11 and 15 percent since the early 1970s? What should be done to reduce poverty? According to a new MDRC report, America's stagnating poverty rates can be largely attributed to rising rates in single parenthood and a decline in real wages, particularly the wages of unskilled men. The report suggests two strategies to reduce poverty, a long-term strategy-investments in preschool through postsecondary education-and a short-term strategy-" 'making work pay' by supporting low-wage workers with earning supplements and other kinds of supports." The full brief, Hearing on Proposals for Reducing Poverty, is available at: http://www.mdrc.org/publications/450/testimony.pdf.

Solutions - a resource journal for professionals in the workforce industry. This edition includes the following articles, a vendor directory, important tips, upcoming conferences and events, and more.

The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005: TANF Refinements and Clarification
A Waiver to Common Measures...The Good, The Bad, The Blog
Instilling Confidence in America's Youth
Organizational Branding from the Inside Out
Improving Customer Service: A Must for WIBs to Ensure Funds are Being Invested Efficiently and Effectively.
Download the July 2007 issue at http://www.workforcemarketing.com/Solutions.pdf.

Victims of 2005 Hurricanes Get Additional Year to Sell Vacant Land. WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service is extending for an additional year the time limit within which victims of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma have to sell vacant land that they had owned and used as part of their principal residence that was destroyed as a result of the hurricanes. Federal tax rules state that individuals have two years within which to sell the vacant land to be able to take advantage of the exclusion on gain from the sale of a principal residence. Given that the two-year anniversary is approaching for victims of the 2005 hurricanes, the IRS has decided to provide additional time to take advantage of the exclusion. The IRS is granting relief by declaring that these victims now have three years after the destruction of their principal residence as a result of the hurricanes to sell their vacant land that they had owned and used as part of the principal residence. IRS.gov has specific information on this provision for disaster victims located at: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=171207,00.html.

U.S. Department of Commerce to Host National Summit on American Competitiveness. WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez announced a national meeting of private and public sector officials that will focus on promoting innovation and economic development across the United States. This summit will be held September 18, 2007 in Washington, D.C. at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center. “The National Summit on American Competitiveness provides an opportunity to highlight the progress we’ve made and the need for America to continually advance strategies that keep our country on the competitive edge,” said Gutierrez. “It will be a time to learn from America’s most prominent and successful leaders and innovators. I am excited about the potential for the National Summit to make a significant contribution toward shaping the national debate and developing policies that will help foster innovation and competitiveness.” The summit will convene the nation’s premier leaders of business, government, academia and the research community to address the core components and lessons of the role of the private sector; education and workforce issues; energy independence; and partnerships in innovation. Scheduled to join Gutierrez, as moderators, are CNBC’s Maria Bartiromo, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director John Marburger, and White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman James Connaughton. Confirmed speakers include Rick Wagoner, Chairman/CEO of General Motors, Frederick Smith, Chairman/CEO of FedEx, Craig Barrett, Chairman of Intel, Arden Bement, Director of the National Science Foundation, James Press, President of Toyota Motor North America and Louis Gerstner, retired Chairman/CEO of IBM. In June, Secretary Gutierrez hosted the Americas Competitiveness Forum (ACF) in Atlanta. The ACF brought high-level government officials from each of the Western Hemisphere’s 33 countries with democratically elected governments to discuss how best to enhance the region’s ability to compete more successfully in the global marketplace. To view a full listing of the speakers and register for the event, visit www.americancompetitiveness.com or www.commerce.gov.

Quote for the Week:

“Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.”

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis