House OKs Block Grants to Replace 60-Plus Programs

WASHINGTON — More than 60 of the nation’s job-training, education and dislocated-workers programs would be consolidated into three block grants under legislation the House passed Friday.

Republicans said they weren’t happy with the state of many government training programs, but the restructuring would give states and communities more control and powerful incentives to improve them.

Under the bill, the government would parcel out money to states from the three newly created grants. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that over the next five years, the bill would cost $1.8 billion more than what the government now spends on the same programs.

The bill, passed 343-60, would require states to evaluate the performance of the block grants and would provide incentive grants to states that increase literacy and to reduce unemployment.

“This bill will significantly enhance the ability of states and local areas to effectively implement welfare reform, focusing on moving welfare recipients from welfare to work,” said Rep. William F. Goodling (R-Pa.), a bill co-sponsor.

The bill also would reauthorize the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, which trains and rehabilitates mentally and physically handicapped people. Supporters said the bill would allow participants to purchase training with vouchers and require youth programs to focus more on longer-term academic and occupational training.

The Clinton administration praised the bill, saying although President Clinton doesn’t agree with all of its provisions, it includes many of the principles found in his own plan.

Critics have said the bill could jeopardize successful programs, including one that provides summer jobs to teenagers.