Latest news with #BobbyScott
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Job Corps closings raise question of why
U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Virginia, asks audience members wearing "Save Job Corps" shirts to stand during a hearing at which U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer addressed the U.S. House Committee on Education and Workforce on Capitol Hill, June 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Scott was highlighting the Job Corps, which is funded through the Department of Labor, and has been targeted for elimination by President Donald Trump's 2026 budget proposal. (Photo by) The budget ax wielded by DOGE and the Trump administration fell on Job Corps last week, when the administration announced it was closing 99 of the program's 123 centers across the country. Job Corps, which began as part of the War on Poverty in 1964, provides free education, job training and a place to live for low-income youth ages 16 to 24. The closings shutter three rural Kentucky locations that serve over 500 students: the Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center in Prestonsburg, the Earle C. Clements Job Corps Academy in Morganfield and the Muhlenberg Job Corps Center in Greenville. But why is Job Corps being terminated? Doing so harms the same 'forgotten men and women of our country' that the administration says are its priority. Job Corps helps young people who are receiving public assistance or are homeless, in foster care, or qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. In 2017, 29% of the youth enrolling had a disability and 65% had left high school before earning a diploma. Trump shutdown of Job Corps will leave 'big void' in this rural Kentucky place So is Job Corps being shuttered to 'promote work?' Far from it. The Kentucky centers were putting students on paths to becoming welders, computer technicians, certified nursing assistants, pharmacy techs, culinary arts employees, automotive mechanics and more. And just as importantly, Job Corps reaches those who face the biggest problems entering career-track employment. A recent report notes that Job Corps often draws from youth who have tried multiple times to earn a secondary or postsecondary credential but dropped out under the demands of low-wage jobs and financial, family or mental health challenges. The program's approach takes these students' monumental barriers into account. It is typically a residential program, eliminating the worries of food, housing and transportation. It also offers small living stipends and health care, counseling services, life skills training, and post-program help in transitioning to employment or additional education. Then maybe Job Corps is something our country just cannot afford? No one can say that with a straight face when Job Corps costs 0.02% of the federal budget while the administration is pushing tax cuts skewed to the wealthy that cost 400 times as much. Neither can anyone credibly claim that the program does not work. The most rigorous study of Job Corps to date found that it helped improve employment, earnings and education outcomes. Not every hardship-facing young person comes out a roaring success, particularly in an economy that produces far too few living wage jobs. But it is easy to find testimonials of Job Corps graduates in Facebook posts: 'This place picked me up when I was broken. It gave me a reason to wake up in the morning. It gave me back the pieces of myself I thought I'd lost forever. I started to believe I could become someone,' said Jessica Williams, a current Job Corps student in Prestonsburg. 'My 21 year old son is on the autism spectrum. He is currently on Medicaid and is learning Information Technology (IT) at the Morganfield, KY Earle C. Clements Job Corps training center. He is approximately half-way through his education there … Just last week, we had discussed his plan to finish his IT program, enter into the AI/Robotics program and then obtain his advanced education … He has long wanted to work in Cyber Security, but he is now devastated,' said Dale K. Hart. 'Tearing down Job Corps, a place where you learn stability and free trades … is absolutely mind boggling. I was at Muhlenberg Job Corps Center from 2015-2016, I met amazing people from all walks of life, seen people who were on their very last strand of hope make something of themselves years later,' said Keeley Staples. The young people in Job Corps, who have survived so many bumps in life, now face a new one. Many may lose hope and direction. Some will become homeless. And it is right to fear that cutting support for left-behind young people will further crowd our jails and juvenile detention centers and push up already obscene addiction rates. It is important to ask why the administration is announcing these and other harmful cuts. But a more pressing question is for all of us: will we let them happen? SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
CBS News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is pressed to spare civil rights-era "peacemakers" program from closure
Top House Democrats on Wednesday are asking Attorney General Pam Bondi to spare a civil rights-era office that has frequently been referred to as the "peacemakers program." An internal Justice Department memo reviewed by CBS News last month said President Trump's appointees are considering closing the Community Relations Service, which was created as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The mission of the office is to be "America's peacemaker," tasked with "preventing and resolving racial and ethnic tensions, conflicts, and civil disorders, and in restoring racial stability and harmony." In a letter sent Wednesday to Bondi and the Justice Department, more than two dozen House Democrats wrote, "We strongly urge you to abandon any plans of dissolving the work of the Community Relations Service." The letter, which included Rep. Bobby Scott, a Virginia Democrat who is the ranking member of the House Education Committee, said the Community Relations Service combats violence and city unrest. The letter says the office's "work also kept places of worship safe after a series of high-profile attacks in recent years." Though created during the mid-20th century, the Community Relations Service was expanded under the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act in 2008. The Community Relations Service does not investigate or prosecute crimes and has no law enforcement authority, and according to the Justice Department, its services are both confidential and free of charge to communities that accept or request them. In 2021, the agency said of its mission that it sought to help realize Martin Luther King Jr.'s "inspiring dream of a vibrant, all-embracing nation unified in justice, peace, and reconciliation." The House Democrats who are pressing Bondi to spare the office from reductions wrote, "We are aware that during the previous Trump Administration there was a similar effort to abandon the valuable work of the Community Relations Service by recommending its elimination in budget proposals and reducing staffing." The Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment from CBS News. The Community Relations Service worked to ease rising racial tensions after the 1997 fatal police shooting of a Chinese-American man in Rohnert Park, California, in Akron, Ohio in 2022 after the shooting of a Black man by police and deploying twice to Minneapolis during the trial of Derek Chauvin after the killing of George Floyd in 2020 in Minnesota. "We would find and stop brush fires, before they became forest fires," said Ron Wakabayashi, a former regional director of the Community Relations Service. Wakabayashi told CBS News last month he fears the nation will be at greater risk of unrest, boycotts and lawsuits without the agency's Community Relations Service deployed regionally across the U.S..
The Guardian
28-04-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Democrats in Congress warn cuts at top US labor watchdog will be ‘catastrophic'
Democrats have warned that cuts to the US's top labor watchdog threaten to render the organization 'basically ineffectual' and will be 'catastrophic' for workers' rights. The so-called 'department of government efficiency' (Doge) has targeted the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for cuts and ended its leases in several states. Representatives Bobby Scott, Mark DeSaulnier and Greg Casar have written to NLRB's chair, Marvin Kaplan, and the acting general counsel, William Cowen, requesting answers on the cuts. 'If the NLRB reduces its workforce and closes a number of regional offices, it will render the NLRB's enforcement mechanism basically ineffectual, thereby chilling workers from exercising their rights to engage in union organizing and protected concerted activities,' they wrote. The letter noted the NLRB has already been suffering from drastic understaffing and budget constraints, while caseloads have increased. NLRB field staffing has declined by one-third in the last decade, while case intake per employee at the agency grew by 46%. 'The harm to America's workers by potential directives to reduce this independent agency's workforce cannot be overstated,' the letter added. 'Any NLRB reduction in force (RIF) or office closures would be catastrophic for workers' rights.' The representatives also requested all information related to Doge's role at the NLRB, including all communications Doge had with employees at the NLRB or regarding the NLRB with other agencies. Doge is led by billionaire Trump donor Elon Musk. Musk's SpaceX has challenged the constitutionality of the NLRB. A whistleblower at the NLRB told NPR earlier this month that Doge accessed sensitive data at the agency and took steps to cover their tracks in doing so. The National Labor Relations Board Union, representing workers at the agency, reported last week that Doge cancelled the NLRB regional office's lease a year early in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, ending it in August 2025. In March 2025, Doge terminated the lease for the NLRB regional office in Memphis, Tennessee. In February 2025, Doge terminated the leases for NLRB offices in Buffalo, New York; Puerto Rico; Los Angeles, California; Overland Park, Kansas; and Birmingham, Alabama. 'The NLRB is an agency that has been starved of funding and resources for over a decade. We have seen massive staffing cuts simply from attrition. There is no need for any austerity measures with our operations; Congress has already done that to us.' the NLRB Union stated on social media. The NLRB declined to comment.
USA Today
22-04-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Where is minimum wage increasing in 2025? These states and cities are due for hikes
Where is minimum wage increasing in 2025? These states and cities are due for hikes While workers across many jurisdictions have already seen minimum wage increases this year, some Americans are still due for a bump in 2025. Jan. 1, 2025 marked a popular day for pay increases across the U.S., as 21 states and 48 cities raised their minimum wage rates. Meanwhile, planned hikes are in place for at least four states and more than a dozen cities through the end of 2025, according to a report by the worker advocacy group National Employment Law Project. At the federal level, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va. introduced on April 8 the Raise the Wage Act, proposing to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $17 per hour and gradually end the "subminimum" wage for tipped workers. However, it faces a Republican trifecta across Congress and the White House. Here is what to know about minimum wage increases going into effect across the country in 2025. States with minimum wage changes after Jan. 1, 2025 According to data compiled by the National Employment Law Project, the following states have enacted minimum wage increases after the New Year or are set for increases later this year: Michigan: $12.48 per hour became the new minimum wage as of Feb. 21 $12.48 per hour became the new minimum wage as of Feb. 21 Alaska : $13.00 will be the new minimum wage as of July 1 : $13.00 will be the new minimum wage as of July 1 California : $18.63-$24 will be the new minimum wage for healthcare, depending on the type of facility, as of July 1 : $18.63-$24 will be the new minimum wage for healthcare, depending on the type of facility, as of July 1 Oregon : $15.05 will be the new standard minimum wage as of July 1. The minimum rate is $16.30 for the Portland metro area and $14.05 for nonurban communities. : $15.05 will be the new standard minimum wage as of July 1. The minimum rate is $16.30 for the Portland metro area and $14.05 for nonurban communities. Florida: Minimum wage will increase to $14 and $10.98 for tipped employees on Sept. 30 These cities see minimum wage hikes throughout 2025 Here are some of the cities and jurisdictions seeing minimum wage hikes this year, according to data compiled by the National Employment Law Project: Santa Fe, New Mexico: Minimum wage increased to $15 per hour, effective March 1 Minimum wage increased to $15 per hour, effective March 1 Los Angeles County, California: Minimum wage increases to $17.81, effective July 1 Minimum wage increases to $17.81, effective July 1 San Francisco : Minimum wage increases to $19.18, effective July 1 : Minimum wage increases to $19.18, effective July 1 Washington, D.C.: Minimum wage increases to $17.95, effective July 1 Minimum wage increases to $17.95, effective July 1 St. Paul, Minnesota: Small and micro businesses will see an increase to $15 and $13.25, respectively, effective July 1 Minimum wage debates moving through state legislatures Virginia : Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed a bill in March that would have raised the minimum wage to $13.50 per hour by Jan. 1, 2026 and $15 per hour on Jan. 1, 2027. : Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed a bill in March that would have raised the minimum wage to $13.50 per hour by Jan. 1, 2026 and $15 per hour on Jan. 1, 2027. Tennessee : A 2025 bill to raise the minimum wage to $20 per hour has stalled, reported the Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. : A 2025 bill to raise the minimum wage to $20 per hour has stalled, reported the Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. North Carolina : The wage floor in North Carolina is set by the federal rate, $7.25. A bill proposing a $22 per hour minimum wage was referred to a committee on March 11, while a separate measure to increase the wage annually until it reached $18 per hour in 2030 was also referred to a committee. : The wage floor in North Carolina is set by the federal rate, $7.25. A bill proposing a $22 per hour minimum wage was referred to a committee on March 11, while a separate measure to increase the wage annually until it reached $18 per hour in 2030 was also referred to a committee. Michigan : Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill in February that will increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2027. It will also increase wages for tipped workers incrementally. : Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill in February that will increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2027. It will also increase wages for tipped workers incrementally. Florida: While Florida's minimum wage gets increased every year due to a prior law, bills under consideration in the state legislature, SB 676 and HB 541, would carve out exemptions for apprenticeships, internships or work-study programs to be able to work for less, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. Minimum wage increased as inflation persisted; advocates say it's not enough Minimum wage increases throughout the entirety of 2025 will directly impact 3 million workers earning minimum wage, and can also help bump up wages for another 6.2 million workers as companies adjust to the new minimum, USA TODAY previously reported. Wage jumps in recent years have helped some Americans try to keep up with inflation, which hit a 40-year high of 9.1% in mid-2022 before falling to 2.4% in March. However, some of the trade policies pursued by the Trump administration have experts concerned that inflation rates could rise again. Economists: Trump's sweeping tariffs could mean a US recession, much higher inflation Advocates have pointed out that some minimum wages are below what they call the "living wage" threshold for the cost of living in the area. Others argue that raising the minimum wage is associated with higher prices and job loss. Contributing: Paul Davidson, Diana Leyva, C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY Network Kinsey Crowley is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at kcrowley@ Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
California among states due for minimum wage hikes in 2025; these workers to benefit the most
While workers across many jurisdictions have already seen minimum wage increases this year, some Americans are still due for a bump in 2025, including many workers in California. Jan. 1, 2025 marked a popular day for pay increases across the U.S., as 21 states and 48 cities raised their minimum wage rates. Meanwhile, planned hikes are in place for California and at least three other states and more than a dozen cities through the end of 2025, according to a report by the worker advocacy group National Employment Law Project. At the federal level, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va. introduced on April 8 the Raise the Wage Act, proposing to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $17 per hour and gradually end the "subminimum" wage for tipped workers. However, it faces a Republican trifecta across Congress and the White House. Here is what to know about minimum wage increases going into effect in California and across the country in 2025. According to data compiled by the National Employment Law Project, the following states have enacted minimum wage increases after the New Year or are set for increases later this year: Michigan: $12.48 per hour became the new minimum wage as of Feb. 21 Alaska: $13.00 will be the new minimum wage as of July 1 California: $18.63-$24 will be the new minimum wage for healthcare, depending on the type of facility, as of July 1 Oregon: $15.05 will be the new standard minimum wage as of July 1. The minimum rate is $16.30 for the Portland metro area and $14.05 for nonurban communities. Florida: Minimum wage will increase to $14 and $10.98 for tipped employees on Sept. 30 Here are some of the cities and jurisdictions seeing minimum wage hikes this year, according to data compiled by the National Employment Law Project: Santa Fe, New Mexico: Minimum wage increased to $15 per hour, effective March 1 Los Angeles County, California: Minimum wage increases to $17.81, effective July 1 San Francisco: Minimum wage increases to $19.18, effective July 1 Washington, D.C.: Minimum wage increases to $17.95, effective July 1 St. Paul, Minnesota: Small and micro businesses will see an increase to $15 and $13.25, respectively, effective July 1 Virginia: Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed a bill in March that would have raised the minimum wage to $13.50 per hour by Jan. 1, 2026 and $15 per hour on Jan. 1, 2027. Tennessee: A 2025 bill to raise the minimum wage to $20 per hour has stalled, reported the Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. North Carolina: The wage floor in North Carolina is set by the federal rate, $7.25. A bill proposing a $22 per hour minimum wage was referred to a committee on March 11, while a separate measure to increase the wage annually until it reached $18 per hour in 2030 was also referred to a committee. Michigan: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill in February that will increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2027. It will also increase wages for tipped workers incrementally. Florida: While Florida's minimum wage gets increased every year due to a prior law, bills under consideration in the state legislature, SB 676 and HB 541, would carve out exemptions for apprenticeships, internships or work-study programs to be able to work for less, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. Minimum wage increases throughout the entirety of 2025 will directly impact 3 million workers earning minimum wage, and can also help bump up wages for another 6.2 million workers as companies adjust to the new minimum, USA TODAY previously reported. Wage jumps in recent years have helped some Americans try to keep up with inflation, which hit a 40-year high of 9.1% in mid-2022 before falling to 2.4% in March. However, some of the trade policies pursued by the Trump administration have experts concerned that inflation rates could rise again. Economists: Trump's sweeping tariffs could mean a US recession, much higher inflation Advocates have pointed out that some minimum wages are below what they call the "living wage" threshold for the cost of living in the area. Others argue that raising the minimum wage is associated with higher prices and job loss. Contributing: Paul Davidson, Diana Leyva, C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY Network Kinsey Crowley is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at kcrowley@ Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Minimum wage increases 2025: Changes coming in California, SF, LA
