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Testimony of Debi Lindemenn U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce Field Hearing on "H.R. 444, Back to Work Incentive Act" February 18, 2003 My name is Debi Lindemenn. I must say I was given very short notice and am unable to provide a lengthy statement. I would like to thank the Committee for inviting me to testify here today. I live in Congressman Porter’s district, so this is an honor for me. As a supervisor on the front line I have first hand knowledge of the struggles families face. There is a changing job market within the Las Vegas labor market. My perspectives of the kinds of needs people have to become re-employed are childcare issues, transportation issues and training needs. We know an estimated 15000 people were laid off as a result of September 11th. Although visitor figures show our city has come back we have not really fully recovered. Unemployment just covers the food, clothing and shelter. Additional costs for childcare and transportation needs are limited. Most of these individuals do not have a lot of re-employment choices. Many have returned to work in the hotel/casino industry only to become under-employed. When people are under-employed, our services are unable to offer a training program that would assist them in obtaining a better paying wage. This forces these individuals to use their personal reserves and savings to maintain their normal lifestyle, thereby leaving them unable to make other employment choices such as relocating within the labor market for better opportunities. In addition, with the continuing migration to this labor market the competition for employment is high. At the present time the State of Nevada does have a compliment of services for the unemployed that works. I have heard of the many programs and am proud to be on the front line. I can tell you as a front line supervisor that there is a need for additional staff to do the case management needed to verify the various programs successes. Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to be here. |