To transmit the CY 1997 Supplement to ET Handbook 394, Unemployment Insurance Financial Data.

To distribute annual national data on internal fraud activities reported by State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs).

To disseminate proposed performance measures for the Benefit Payment Control (BPC) program to State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs) and to solicit comments on the proposed measures.

To provide State Employment Security Agencies with guidance upon the reauthorization of the Trade Act of 1974 and the enactment of the FY 1999 Labor/HHS appropriation.

To transmit the Experience Rating Index (ERI) by State for Rate Year 1997.

To amend the consolidated list of "acceptable" narrative reasons for separation transmitted in Unemployment Insurance Program Letter (UIPL) No. 3-95 and UIPL No. 3-95, Change 1 to include those dealing with "inaptitude."

To transmit a draft of the new State Quality Service Plan (SQSP) to State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs) for review and comment. The SQSP is designed to replace the Program and Budget Plan (PBP).

To announce the reauthorization of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program and extension of the Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit under the Tax and Trade Relief Extension Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-277), &#sect; 1002 and 1003 respectively.

To provide updated guidance to Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) grantees on applying the Selective Service registration requirement and to rescind TEIN No. 20-94.

To provide the States information on the availability of Title III Demonstration Funds for Incumbent Worker System Building at the State level for Program Year 1998.