JOTF E-Newsletter

February 2005

The Job Opportunities Task Force (JOTF) is pleased to bring you the latest edition of its electronic newsletter. The JOTF E-Newsletter includes news, announcements, and information about upcoming events in the Baltimore area that we hope will be of interest to you. If your organization would like to publicize an event, job announcement, or other information, please e-mail: info@jotf.org.

In this issue:

JOTF NEWS

• JOTF Puts Workforce Issues on the Front Burner in Annapolis
• Debate Heats Up Over Proposed Minimum Wage Hike
• Maryland Alliance for the Poor Unveils New Website

OTHER NEWS

• The Daily Record: "Legislation calls for funds to boost language classes"
• Report Says U.S. Workers Being Left Behind
• The Washington Post on President Bush's Budget and the Poor

UPCOMING EVENTS

• MIETP Offers "Dependable Strengths" Training (2/14-2/18)
• Maryland Works Presents "Handling Performance Issues" (2/16)
• Good Jobs First to Host Second National Conference (5/11-5/13)
• Workforce Alliance to Hold 2005 National Conference (5/18-5/19)

OPPORTUNITIES

• Mayor's Office of Employment Development Seeks Early Intervention Facilitator
• Service Employees International Union Seeks Senior Community-Political Organizer
• Annie E. Casey Foundation and Youth As Resources Grant Opportunities
• Baltimore City Mayoral Fellowship Accepting Applications for Summer 2005

JOTF NEWS

JOTF Puts Workforce Issues on the Front Burner in Annpolis

During the 2005 legislative session, JOTF is actively supporting bills to reduce the impact of a criminal record on employment opportunities; bring more federal employment and training dollars into Maryland; and increase wages for workers at the lower end of the economic spectrum. We are also working to ensure that priorities like adult education, job training, and income supports for working families are included in state agency budgets.

Click here to read our 2005 advocacy agenda. If you would like to sign up for weekly public policy updates from JOTF, send e-mail to info@jotf.org.

Upcoming bill hearings of interest include:

• HB 607 - Police and Court Records - Nuisance Crimes - Expungement (Hearing in the House Judiciary Committe on 2/23 at 1:00 p.m.)
• SB 463 - Public Assistance - Eligibility for Residents Convicted of a Felony Involving a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Hearing in the Senate Finance Committee on 2/24 at 1:00 p.m.)

Debate Heats Up Over Proposed Minimum Wage Hike

JOTF supports efforts to increase the state minimum wage. JOTF executive director Jason Perkins-Cohen testified on February 10 in favor of Senate Bill 89, which would increase Maryland's minimum wage by $1.00 per hour over the federal minimum. Another legislative proposal would raise the state's base wage to $7.00 per hour.

Articles in the Baltimore Sun and the Daily Record explore the intense feelings on both sides of the issue.

Read the Daily Record's "Wage bills seen jeopardizing pro-business trend".
Read the Baltimore Sun's "Md. Legislators to push for minimum-wage rise."

Maryland Alliance for the Poor Unveils New Website
Maryland Alliance for the Poor (MAP) is proud to announce the launch of its new website, which includes MAP publications, news, and other information. JOTF is a longstanding member of MAP, a statewide coalition founded in 1988 to bring together organizations working to help Maryland families move up and out of poverty. For more information on MAP and its priorities for 2005, click here.

JOTF program assistant Larry Schugam created and maintains the new website for MAP. To view the site, visit http://www.mdpoverty.org/.

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OTHER NEWS

The Daily Record: "Legislation calls for funds to boost language classes"
Daily Record Legal Affairs Writer Lawrence Hurley writes about new legislation that would increase funding for adult English language education. The Maryland Latino Coalition for Justice, "which claims there is a waiting list of between 5,000 and 6,000 for English classes across the state, wants to facilitate passage of a bill, SB 384, which would add $1.5 million to the Maryland State Department of Education’s adult education program."

Read "Legislation calls for funds to boost language classes"

Report Says U.S. Workers Being Left Behind
The John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development has released a new report entitled Getting Back to Work: New Public/Private Strategies for Laid-Off American Workers. The report "concludes the nation’s public policies and private sector practices are out of sync with the reality of a changing labor market where millions of Americans face layoffs each year and millions more are at risk of job loss."

To view the full report visit: http://www.heldrich.rutgers.edu/.

The Washington Post on President Bush's Budget and the Poor
A Washington Post editorial on February 7, 2005 asserts that the proposed cuts in President Bush's fiscal 2006 budget will fall most heavily on the poor. Programs such as " housing vouchers, home heating aid and food stamps" are exposed for potential cuts. The author states that lawmakers should consider whether or not the poor will have to "endure a cruelly disproportionate share of the cuts that are to come."

(Free registration on Washingtonpost.com required to view article.)

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UPCOMING EVENTS

MIETP Offers "Dependable Strengths" Training (2/14-2/18)
The Maryland Institute for Employment and Training Professionals presents "Dependable Strengths: Uncover your Customers' Hidden Potential & Improve YOUR Performance" from February 14 - 18, 2005 at the Pearlstone Retreat & Conference Center. For more information visit the class schedule section of MIETP's website at the following link: www.mietp.org.

Maryland Works Presents "Handling Performance Issues" (2/16)
Maryland Works, Inc. presents "Handling Performance Issues" on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 from 8:30-noon in Columbia, MD. This interactive program provides practical tips for laying a solid foundation for employees' growth and development as well as methods for subsequent coaching, counseling and correcting for success. For more information call 410-381-8660 or visit www.mdworks.com.

Good Jobs First to Host Second National Conference (5/11-5/13)

Good Jobs First will hold its second national conference, "Reclaiming Economic Development", from May 11-13 2005 at the Wyndham Inner Harbor Hotel in Baltimore. For more information visit: http://www.goodjobsfirst.org/.

Workforce Alliance to Hold 2005 National Conference (May 18-19)

The Workforce Alliance will hold its 2005 National Conference: "What's the Big Idea? Workforce Development Policy for the Next Four Years (and Beyond)" from May 18-19, 2005 at the Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel. For more information, visit TWA's 2005 National Conference home page or call Carla Ward at 202-223-8991 ext. 100.

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OPPORTUNITIES

Mayor's Office of Employment Development Seeks Early Intervention Facilitator
The Baltimore Mayor's Office of Employment Development is seeking an Early Intervention Facilitator to provide a variety of supportive employment services designed to enhance participants’ employability. Applicants can pick up an application from the Human Resources Department, 417 E. Fayette st., Suite 401 (21202) and return it (along with an updated resume) to Regina Bellina, HR Analyst. Applicants needing disability-related accommodations for interviews, should request them in advance by contacting Christine Marshall at (410) 396-1790.

Service Employees International Union Seeks Senior Community-Political Organizer
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is seeking a Senior Community-Political Organizer for Maryland/DC State Council. For more information email: info@seiumddc.org.

Annie E. Casey Foundation and Youth As Resources Offer Grant Opportunities

The Annie E. Casey Foundation has partnered with Youth As Resources to offer grants to families for cultural and recreational enrichment activities. To provide further information, they will be hosting a Grant Seeker Information Session on February 24th, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. at the Annie E. Casey Foundation (503 North Charles Street). Please RSVP by February 18th to 410-576-9551.

Youth As Resources has funds available for youth-led community organizing ideas. Youth (up to age 21) in Baltimore City and County are invited to apply. For more information and/or to sign up for a grant seeker workshop, please call 410-576-9551.

Baltimore City Mayoral Fellowship Accepting Applications for Summer 2005

The Baltimore City Mayoral Fellowship Program is accepting applications from: undergraduates in their junior or senior years; recent college graduates; and students who have recently completed graduate school. The program provides Fellows with hands-on experience in city government and public administration.

For more information visit: http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us/fellows/.

Newsletter Co-Editors: Kevin Griffin Moreno and Larry Schugam

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