New Podcast Available: Implementing the Obama Administration’s Unemployment Insurance-Pell Grant Initiative.
Listen to a Podcast of TWA's August 11th Audio Update. 

• Recovery to Reauthorization: An Overview | Rachel Gragg, TWA
• Expanding Access to Education and Training for UI Benefit Recipients | Andrew Stettner, National Employment Law Project
• UI Benefit Recipients and Pell Grant Eligibility | Jim Hermes, American Association of Community Colleges
• Federal Policy Opportunities | Rachel Gragg

House Moves President's Community College Plan, TWA Recommendations Adopted in Committee
On July 21st the House Education & Labor Committee approved the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, eliminating the Federal Family Education Loan program and redirecting part of the estimated $87B in savings to support the President’s community college initiative. In a letter to Chairman Miller (D-CA) TWA supported the bill while offering several recommendations to strengthen the proposal, including two that were adopted as amendments. An amendment by Reps. Loebsack (D-IA) and Fudge (D-OH) encourages linkages between community colleges and sector partnerships. One introduced by Rep. Woolsey (D-CA) gives priority to for community college reform grants to projects serving, low-income, underrepresented, and nontraditional students. Read the bill summary.

Administration Unveils New Community College Plan, TWA Responds in the Press
On July 14th President Obama announced his new American Graduation Initiative, a $12B investment to expand the capacity of the nation's community colleges. The President's speech followed the release of a new report by the Council of Economic Advisors highlighting the important attributes of a well-functioning education and training system that can provide U.S. workers with the skills needed for current jobs as well as those that will be created as a result of the Recovery Act and economic growth. National media outlets turned to The Workforce Alliance for comment.