Below is a joint statement concerning the announcement this afternoon by Teresa Wahlert, Governor Branstad’s appointee as head of Workforce Development. The closing of 39 Workforce Centers will cost 107 Iowa jobs.|(From Rep. Sharon Steckman)
News from the Capitol today;
Below is a joint statement concerning the announcement this afternoon by Teresa Wahlert, Governor Branstad’s appointee as head of Workforce Development. The closing of 39 Workforce Centers will cost 107 Iowa jobs. Charles City is targeted as one of those centers. Legislators were told that some staff would be replaced by volunteers or local librarians. This announcement falls on the heels of DHS Director Palmer’s projected layoff of over 200 DHS workers for 2012, and DIA Director Robert’s announcement of 10 out of 38 nursing professionals who currently inspect nursing homes. These cuts are in response to the release of Governor’s budget.
JOINT STATEMENT ON CLOSURE OF 39 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OFFICES FROM SENATOR BILL DOTZLER,
CHAIR OF THE SENATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE, AND REPRESENTATIVE KIRSTEN RUNNING-MARQUARDT,
RANKING MEMBER OF THE HOUSE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
“Governor Branstad’s plan is disastrous to more than 100,000 Iowans who want to rejoin the workforce. The Governor is pulling out the rug on Iowans by reducing their access to key services by closing 39 workforce development offices, mostly in rural areas.
Instead of increasing access to employment services for workers and businesses, the Governor’s plan puts up more barriers for Iowans looking for a job and businesses trying to hire new workers. This plan eliminates job development & placement assistance, interviewing skills workshops and claims assistance.
Democrats flatly reject this scheme because it targets Iowans in rural areas and small towns. We can do better.”
