Capital Update tracks the movement of legislation, the introduction
of notable bills, and routine regulatory announcements.
Legislative Action
Child CareThe Senate last week began consideration of a $2.5-billion measure that would
S 5provide funds to improve the quality and supply of child care. Also last week, the Senate Finance Committee approved a tax-credit package that would set aside $25 million in fiscal 1990 to make the dependent-care tax credit refundable. The measure is expected to be offered as an amendment to S 5. The House Ways and Means Committee also approved a measure that would increase social-services block-grant funds for child care and and child-care training to $2.9 billion in 1991. The measure also would increase funding for child-welfare services.
Dropout PreventionThe House last week approved legislation to extend the authorization of the
HR 2281National School Dropout Demonstration Program.
Education InitiativesThe Senate Subcommittee on Education, Arts, and the Humanites heard testimony last week from Secretary of Education Lauro F. Cavazos and representatives of education organizations on President Bush’s package of education initiatives.
Fringe BenefitsThe Senate Finance Committee last week approved a bill to delay until 1990 imple-
S 1129mentation of a provision, known as Section 89, outlawing discriminatory fringe benefits between high- and low-paid workers. The measure also would simplify the way employers must calculate whether benefits are discriminatory.
School NutritionThe Senate held a hearing last week on legislation to reauthorize the school-breakfast and school-lunch programs.
Teen PregnancyThe Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee last week approved legislation
S 110, S 120authorizing $30 million for programs to support pregnant and parenting teens, as well as family-planning counseling or referrals. A second bill that would reauthorize funds for family-planning clinics also was adopted after it was amended to include the reauthorization of the Adolescent Family Life Act, which emphasizes abstinence. Also last week, the House Subcommittee on Health and the Environment held a hearing on reauthorization of the federal family-planning program.
Workforce 2000The House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing last week to discuss issues related to the Department of Labor’s two-year-old study, “Workforce 2000,” which suggests that the nation is facing a labor shortage.
