The massive,1,122-page omnibus bill (H.R. 1105) introduced by House Democrats on Monday would provide significant funding increases for government agencies dealing with labor and employment issues. (pdf)  This $410 billion spending measure consists of nine fiscal 2009 appropriations bills that would spread a considerable amount of funds throughout several domestic agencies.

Of note, the proposal would increase the Labor Department’s budget by about 4 percent.  More than $513 million would be provided to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), an increase in nearly 5.6 percent, and almost $347 million (up 4.6 percent) to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) would receive $344 million, an increase in funding by nearly $15 million from last year. Almost $262.6 million – representing a $6 million expansion – would be appropriated to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

Consistent with complaints from employee advocacy groups and labor unions over the last eight years, this spending is designed to reverse what is widely viewed in certain circles as the Bush administration’s unjustified reduction in the capabilities of certain agencies tasked with oversight of the workplace. Much of the labor department’s funding is intended to boost a number of worker training programs. Additionally, it is anticipated that increased funding would be used to improve the enforcement power of these agencies.

This bill would also cut or reduce several Bush-era programs. For example, the legislation would eliminate funds for a pilot program that permits Mexican trucks to deliver freight beyond commercial zones along the United States border. Created in 2007, this pilot program enabled U.S. trucks to make deliveries across the border into Mexico as well. The appropriations bill would ban funds from being used directly or indirectly to “implement, continue, promote, or in any way permit” such cross-border programs “to operate beyond the commercial zones along the international border between the United States and Mexico . .”

Additionally, the legislation would reduce funding by more than $300,000 to One-Stop Career Centers created under the Bush administration. These centers condensed multiple training programs into single locations in certain communities. The bill also cuts funding to faith-based organizations that provide community services.

The President and the Senate are expected to unveil their 2009 budgets later in the week.