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Despite the fact that the economy is still in recession and unemployment continues to remain at high levels as compared to the pre-September 11 job market, President Bush is planning to decrease grants for job training programs. White House officials confirmed budgetary evidence that the administration intends to cut training for young adults and laid off workers---the two groups most affected by recent increases in the unemployment rate---but defended the plans as an effort at "streamlining" federal job training programs. The U.S. Conference of Mayors sent a letter the White House this week, criticizing plans to reduce grants for young adult job training from $225 million to $45 million as a painful blow to poor communities and depressed inner-city areas.