News From Congresswoman
Nydia M. Velázquez
Representing New York's 12th Congressional District - Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens
Ranking Democratic Member, House Small Business Committee

For Immediate Release
November 7, 2003

CONTACT: Wendy Belzer, Kate Davis, 202-225-4038

Velázquez Speaks Out on Bush's Choices
Administration's budgets fails to address job training, small business, trade issues

WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.), Ranking Democratic Member of the House Small Business Committee, called President Bush's latest speech at Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem North Carolina on job training and the economy "another example of the widening credibility gap between the Bush administration's policies and its rhetoric."

"This administration talks about its unwavering support for important community-building initiatives like job training and small business, then cuts federal funding for them to make room for more tax breaks," Congresswoman Velázquez said. "Not only have the tax breaks failed to provide the sustained economic growth and job creation that Bush promised, but his budget decisions have also hurt small business and job training programs that could ultimately help put our nation's 8.8 million unemployed Americans back to work."

President Bush's 2004 budget request proposed cuts to important job training programs that are linked to small business development. One such casualty is the One Stop Career Center program, which offers small businesses assistance from initial placement of a job announcement to the final interview process. The One Stop Career Centers have experienced a dwindling budget since Bush took office, with another $12 million reduction in 2004.

In addition, Bush has proposed a $60 million cut to adult training programs, total elimination of the youth opportunity grants that provide job training to younger workers, and a $307 million cut to vocational and technical education grants. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupations requiring a vocational degree will account for 42 percent of total job growth from 2000 to 2010.

"Job training is essential to small business - the driver of our economy and the greatest job creator in this country," Congresswoman Velázquez said. "Small business owners depend on these programs to get the skilled employee pool they need for start-up and growth. Small business owners do not have the time, the resources, or the network to conduct extensive personnel searches or lure skilled workers away from larger companies with higher salaries and better benefits. Job training is essential to America's small businesses, just like small businesses are essential to lasting economic growth and expansion."

President Bush has also slashed critical programs aimed at small manufacturers and exporters. The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), the Ex-Im Bank, and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) have all experienced cutbacks. The Bush administration's trade and tax policies have caused a mounting trade deficit, as imports flood into the U.S. and domestic companies - and jobs - move overseas in search of cheaper labor and lax environmental standards.

"Our nation's future is all about the priorities set and choices made by the administration now," Congresswoman Velázquez said. "From taxes to job training, the critical issues for small businesses have not been priorities under President Bush. Main Street hasn't been as lucky as Wall Street under this administration, and that's a real shame."

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