Nancy Kassebaum: “this amendment will provide the States with greater flexibility to combine Federal programs into one school-to-work…”

“this amendment will provide the States with greater flexibility to combine Federal programs into one school-to-work system. It addresses the concerns I raised in my opening remarks about the flexibility that the Governors would like to have. It gives the States the option of integrating existing Federal School-to-Work Programs without having to apply for separate waivers from each and every one of the separate rules and laws governing those programs. A similar amendment was included in the substitute that was submitted by the chairman, but only related to a small portion of funds in the bill. My amendment would cover all of the funds that are authorized. One of the goals of the School-To-Work Opportunities Act is to bring together existing programs for young people into one comprehensive statewide system. I think this is a laudable goal. I believe this amendment would go even further than the committee substitute that we are considering in making that flexibility available to all initiatives. That is the thrust of my amendment, Mr. President.”