Capital Digest

The House last week approved the Clinton Administration's proposed "school-to-work opportunities act,'' HR 2884, by a voice vote. The bill would authorize $300 million in fiscal 1995 and unspecified amounts through 2002 for a national system to ease students into the labor market. It now awaits Senate action.

On the House floor, Rep. Steve Gunderson, R-Wis., raised concerns about an amendment that would require state agencies to sign off on any part of a state's school-to-work plan over which they have jurisdiction. Mr. Gunderson worried that the language would make it more difficult to create an integrated, collaborative system.

In a related action, Administration officials confirmed last week that they will allow local partnerships to apply for some of the $100 million in fiscal 1994 funds available to begin planning and implementing school-to-work programs. The decision reverses an October announcement that priority would be given...