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Keep the American Economy Strong; Invest in the American Worker

Goodwill Industries Urges Congress to Reject Proposed Budget Cuts

February 7, 2008

Rockville, MD – Goodwill Industries International urges Congress to reject proposed cuts for workforce development programs that are vital to the economic health of communities across the United States.  President George W. Bush’s proposed FY 2009 budget calls for a 15 percent cut in combined funding for adult, youth, and dislocated worker programs authorized under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), a 33 percent cut to a community employment program for older workers, a 54 percent cut in the Office of Disability Employment Policy, and a 46 percent cut for ex-offender programs under the U.S. Department of Labor.  These proposed budget cuts and others could have profound and lasting consequences on millions of people.  

“It’s imperative that we invest in the American worker, not cut funding for people who need help finding work in their community,” says George W. Kessinger, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International.   “We must prepare our workers to meet the demands of our businesses and provide people with the training and support they need to get a good job and become productive, tax-paying citizens.”

Every 56 seconds of every business day, Goodwill places someone in a job.  That person might be the teller at your bank, the teacher’s aide at your child’s school, or the administrative assistant in your office.  Unfortunately, job training programs like the ones these people completed could be in jeopardy if the proposed cuts go into effect.

“At Goodwill Industries, we believe that work creates the economic energy that builds strong communities,” Kessinger says. “By investing in the American worker, we invest in the American economy.”

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