Friday Aug 21, 2009
President Obama wants to make it possible for people receiving unemployment benefits to go back to school.
He maintains that by retraining for reemployment or new employment that America can ¿lay a new foundation¿ for our nation¿s economic growth by investing in our citizens in this way.
I agree. Why haven¿t we done this before?
Generally those receiving unemployment benefits have to show that they are available and actively seeking a job. To be available for work, you can¿t retool or retrain on a full time basis. Although that seems like a reasonable goal, what if there are no jobs to return to? Would it not make better sense to be retraining or in class getting ready for jobs that are available and will be available in the future? Not to mention the jobs that are empty now because people with needed knowledge and skills are not prepared.
We need fundamental rethinking of our unemployment system and how it works. Can we have a better benefit for our economy and for the individuals looking for a brighter future?
With unemployment running double digits and a continuing recession of almost 2 years and running, I say, ¿Yes.¿ Let¿s change our paradigm and redo the structure.
This IS an idea whose time has come!
Category: Government
Friday May 15, 2009
This week, President Obama announced his intent to "lay a new foundation for our economic growth by investing in our citizens."
His approach is both familiar and new.
The "familiar" part is based upon old arguments for reinventing the welfare system. Instead of simply collecting welfare, people would work or be trained for work in order to collect a check. The "new" is applying the concept to further education -- not as a result of welfare, but as a result of unemployment. Those figures today are 8.9% for the nation and 11.2% for California.
In some way this seems like a small step. In reality, it is a giant step. Why? Because it makes full use of this nation's community college system. Although the details have not yet been released at this stage, it is an interesting idea. The plan should allow for more than the first 2 years of college, however; It should be extended to college completion.
This plan has the potential of a modern economy depression era GI BILL. And I believe it's an idea whose time has come.
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Category: Government
Monday May 04, 2009
Last week President Obama repeated his campaign goal of saving $48 billion over the next decade by eliminating the Federal Family Education Loan Program.
At the present time, while some students borrow directly from the government, a large portion get loans from banks and from agencies that get huge subsidies from Washington DC.
His proposal will face stiff opposition from the lenders who have long had a lucrative part of the process. Others will say it is not the role of the federal government to become a bank.
But prior paradigms have been set reeling this past year and the Federal government's role has moved to center stage. Although we need the stimulus package to set us free from the deep economic recession, we will also need to pay the money back in the future.
This is an opportunity to save $48 billion over 10 years -- or the savings could provide more money for student access -- at a time when higher education is more important than ever before.
Perhaps it could do both.
Category: Government
Friday Apr 17, 2009
"Excellent Choice!" is my reaction to the nomination of Martha Kanter as the Under Secretary of the US Department of Education.
The role in question is the top post for higher education and handles policies, programs, and activities related to post secondary education, vocational and adult education and federal student aid.
Kanter is currently the Chancellor of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District -- one of the feeder community college schools to Golden Gate University.
The kind of work this job entails is not unknown to me as, before coming to Golden Gate, I spent 15 years as President of Community Colleges in Texas and California.
It is good to see the visibility given to community colleges by this appointment. She would be the first community college leader to serve in the #2 Department of Education post.
Her chances of clearing the appointment process are high:
1) She is well qualified
2) She has the credentials
3) She HAS paid her taxes!
Your thoughts? Please contact me here.
Category: Government
Thursday Mar 26, 2009
Last week I endorsed the President Obama's proposal to increase the funding for Perkins Loans. These loans are a boon to middle class Americans.
Today, I have to give a "thumbs down" to President Obama's proposal that would limit charitable deductions for individuals making over $200,000 and couples making over $250,000.
The reason? This would result in less contributions not only to universities such as Golden Gate but to charities of all types.
Golden Gate University has - like virtually every institution of higher education in the country, at least on paper - lost a sizable portion of its endowment. Our endowment is used for scholarships for students in need.
This proposal is penny wise and pound foolish. It needs to be relegated.
What do you think?
Category: Government
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