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.
For more information, visit
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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
Thursday Mar 19, 2009
The world of higher education responded with great satisfaction when funds were authorized and appropriated for major improvements in the Pell Grant program. Pell is of crucial importance for LOW income students and families.
But - so far - very little attention has been focused on the President's proposal to improve the Perkins Loan program, which is of MAJOR importance to universities like Golden Gate and to the students and families that we serve.
President Obama has proposed taking the current $1 billion federal funding level to $6 billion a year.
The impact (when added to the $2,500 tuition tax credit) would be the largest boost for MIDDLE income Americans in a long, long time. In the President's words, these tandem Federal enhancements would provide "an unprecedented chance for going to college ... at a time when going to college has never been more important."
Your GGU President is bullish on the Perkins Loan Obama proposal ¿ and you should be too!
Category: Higher Education
Wednesday Mar 11, 2009
It's one thing to be in the occasional meeting with people, but to spend two or three days with them creates a whole new level of closeness.
It was truly a pleasure to have taken part in this delegation, especially during such an exciting time with a new administration -- and I enjoyed the opportunity to be here to get breaking news straight from the source. We attended Senator Dianne Feinstein's weekly hour-long briefing this morning. About 100 people attended, of which 18 were her staff people. She talked us through the stimulus package, giving us the good news and the bad news. Energy and water (or lack, thereof) took the stage as California's top issues.
Another briefing on the stimulus package followed, this time from the perspective of labor officials from the AFL-CIO at their headquarters.
At the end of the trip, nothing felt resolved by any means; but, we got the information, did some lobbying, and developed our networks. As the old adage goes, it helps to know people. And the personal relationships I fostered on this trip will perhaps prove more valuable than the insight gained. In addition to being on a first-name basis with several staff people, I got the opportunity to get to know fellow colleagues from San Francisco.
Off to catch my flight to be back in time for the Cirque Du GGU tomorrow.
Category: Government
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