(The Associated Press circulated the following on February 7.)
Agency: Department of Labor
Spending: $11.5 billion
Percentage Change from 2005: -4.4 percent
Mandatory Outlays: $40.5 billion
Total Spending: $52 billion
Highlights:
–Would cut funding to the Bureau of International Labor Affairs to $12 million, from $93 million in Bush’s 2005 budget. The bureau conducts research on and helps formulate international economic, trade, immigration and labor policies.
–The Office of Disability Employment Policy would see its funding reduced from $47 million to $28 million.
–The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s funding would rise slightly to $467 million, from $464 million in 2005. Some of the money would be used to improve OSHA’s ability to get timely data on worker injuries and illnesses. The Mine Safety and Health Administration also would see a small increase, to $280 million from $279 million.
–The 2006 budget also includes $7 million to fight fraud and corruption in labor unions. Money would be used to beef up audits, help hire 48 new auditors, and investigate and combat embezzlement of union funds.
— A total of $75 million would go toward helping recently released prisoners make a successful transition back to society and to employment.
“This budget strengthens our ability to protect workers and prepare them for good jobs in the 21st century economy,” said Labor Secretary Elaine Chao.