The House workforce development bill made the rounds through the House this week, with committees weighing in by offering amendments to tweak the bill before it goes to the Senate. The Joint Fiscal Office released its fiscal summary of the bill, totaling $105.7 million without an expected impact on State revenues. This includes $44.5 million from the General Fund, $44.8 million in Global Commitment Fund, $15 million from the Education Fund, and $1.3 million of ARPA funding. The House Appropriations Committee is expected to mark up the bill soon, potentially making significant cuts. The Vermont Chamber will continue advocating for the programs that will grow the workforce.

Meanwhile, at the federal level the Vermont Chamber is continuing to advocate for solutions to the workforce shortage. Congressman Welch has been a great partner in this effort, signing on to a congressional letter to the Secretaries of Homeland Security and Labor, requesting the total number of allowable H-2B visas be released in order to alleviate the labor shortage. In addition, the Vermont Chamber is continuing to advocate for RRF replenishment in future COVID-19 relief bills or a small business relief package, and Congressman Welch signed on to a letter to House leadership in support of additional federal relief funding for small businesses.