Call this your Senate Republican SOD for 8/1- but let's give credit to the Governor first and foremost.
Governor Granholm has a great idea for training displaced and unemployed workers in Michigan- give them the skills to match the jobs that are available right now and will be the growth areas in the future. Using federal money, the first group of students starts this fall.
The program, called No Worker Left Behind, was detailed in Traverse City by Gov. Jennifer Granholm with the state's community college presidents. Granholm's goal is to retrain and place 100,000 workers in high-demand jobs in health care, alternative fuels and other fields within the next three years.
The Democratic governor said she is starting the program with about $37 million in existing federal job training funds, which she can do without the Legislature's approval. Granholm also would like to add $40 million to the program from the state's general fund, which would require the Legislature's OK.
Republicans did not sound open to that possibility Wednesday, saying the state doesn't have the money for the program.
That's because the Republicans refuse to give Michigan a raise. When it comes time to help you, oh, so sorry, no money left in the till for the workers. They kind of remind you of your boss, don't they?
Yes, they do, and you know it. More on the other side...
Granholm points out that there are jobs available in this state- people just need the training to fill them.
"Michigan has got more of the workers who have been displaced by the global economy than any other state in the country," Granholm told The Associated Press in an interview before her announcement. "At the same time, we have 90,000 vacancies in Michigan's economy. But many of those vacancies require some kind of training or certification. We have a skills gap."
This will help those employers that are having a hard time finding the people they need- so, this is also good for business.
Eligible students could get up to $5,000 per year for two years _ $10,000 total. The training must be done through a community college, university or other approved program.
Participants must earn a degree or certification in a high-demand field for their region _ typically health care, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing or renewable energy. Another alternative would be gaining the skills needed to start their own businesses.
"This is really employer-driven," Granholm said. "We're not going to pay tuition for a worker who wants to go back and get a degree in French."
Full disclosure: The Governor has a degree in French. But that's beside the point.
Business will be happy. People will get jobs.
Isn't that what it's all about right now?
Not if you're Mike Bishop, speaking through his hand puppet Matt Marsden. Your Senate Republican SOD for 8/1 starts.... now! Take it away, Mr. Spock!
Marsden noted the program comes at the same time universities are raising tuition for those who pay to attend.
"There's a real disconnect there," Marsden said. "It defies logic."
Yes, keeping business happy and providing Michigan citizens with jobs "defies logic".
I guess it would if you are a Republican who needs to prevent those things from happening just so you can have something to complain about. Takes all the fun out of the Granholm bashing if we actually succeed in making this state a better place.
And as far as the rising tuition rates go... I think we have been over who can do something about that problem, haven't we?
Yes, I think we have. I also think we have discovered who is really "disconnected" here, but if they keep saying it... I'll keep pointing it out.
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