By Philip Franchine

Green Valley News

Older workers need congressional help in a tough economy, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords said Monday as she explained two bills she is introducing.

The congresswoman acknowledged that the bills are unlikely to move toward passage this year because it is an election year, but said she wanted to get them into the legislative process now.

“In 2009, adults 55 and over made up almost 20 percent of the workforce, the highest percentage we’ve ever had,” Giffords said at the Pima Council On Aging in Tucson.

As the population ages, an increasing number of older workers are unemployed, lack current skills and face challenges unlike those of the past, Giffords said.

“Congress has paid attention to the aging population, but it looks very different than in the past 20 to 50 years. More seniors are in the workforce, and more are being laid off, having trouble paying health insurance bills, or being able to do as well as they have historically,” Giffords said.

She announced she is introducing legislation that will support seniors and create jobs by encouraging employers to hire older workers and making retraining more affordable. The Older Americans’ Job Opportunities Blueprint (JOB) Act and the Back to School Act are aimed at helping older residents get back into the workforce.

In part, the JOB bill would expand and extend eligibility of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and create a National Resource Center on Aging and the Workforce within the Department of Labor to collect, organize and disseminate older worker information.

She made the announcement after meeting with many members of her Senior and Aging Issues Advisory Council. Among those on the council are Russell Symes of Green Valley.

The cost of the JOB bill would depend upon how many qualified seniors apply and receive funding, and the second bill would not cost more, as it would leave it up to the Department of Labor to decide how to create the new National Resource Center on Aging and the Workforce, a legislative aide said.

Giffords said that focusing on older workers might help employers as well.

“As a former small-business owner, I know there are 13 tax credits already available, but many businesses are not aware of what they are. We need a resource center to really help educate the labor community, the businesses” about what is available, Giffords said.