As many governors struggle to minimize the impact of the skills gap in their states, Career Technical Education (CTE) has repeatedly been touted as part of the solution to this disconnect. Governors in each state have recently delivered state of the state addresses to outline their priorities for 2013, and CTE often appears as a strategy within these plans.

Texas – Governor Rick Perry

“Texas employers need additional, qualified workers. Of course, not all of these jobs require a college degree. Many require a technical certification, and those jobs are among those most in demand in our state.”

Governor Rick Perry is focused on bridging the gap between education and industry. He recommends giving high school students more flexibility in their course selection without sacrificing rigor. He also promotes an existing model that brings together industry and technical/community colleges to help students earn technical certifications at an affordable cost. This would allow individuals to earn certification in high-demand industries using competency-based learning, allowing students to earn credits for skills they have already mastered.

Watch Governor Perry’s full address.

New York – Governor Andrew Cuomo

“A generic job training program just doesn’t cut it anymore. We need a job linkage program.”

Governor Cuomo recognizes the need to better align education and training to in-demand jobs in New York. “We must change and reimagine the way [the State University of New York] and [the City University of New York] community college systems work,” he said.

There are 210,000 unfilled jobs in New York, Governor Cuomo said, because companies cannot find workers with the right skills. CTE programs help fill the gaps between the skills that students are learning versus the demands of employers. Partnerships between secondary education, postsecondary education, and business and industry will be critical to making the changes that Governor Cuomo hopes to see.

Watch Governor Cuomo’s full address.

Vermont – Governor Peter Shumlin

“Our current funding system does not encourage [CTE] centers to match the needs of regional employers. These [CTE] Innovation Zones will focus on areas of education and professional opportunity that fit the needs of their region.”

Governor Peter Shumlin’s address strongly supports tenets of CTE – from opportunities for dual enrollment to early college initiatives to personal learning plans for every student. Of particular note is Governor Shumlin’s proposal to increase the use of Vermont’s 17 CTE centers. Shumlin suggests using these CTE centers as the foundation for “Vermont Innovation Zones” that would better connect CTE with labor market needs across the state.

Read Governor Peter Shumlin’s full address.

Kara Herbertson, Research and Policy Manager

“The time has come to make career, technical and vocational education a priority in every high school in Indiana.” – Indiana Governor Mike Pence

Since the start of the new year, governors in each state have delivered state of the state addresses to provide an update on state priorities for the upcoming year. Unsurprisingly, many governors plan to prioritize education issues. But many governors, such as Indiana Governor Mike Pence, have also specifically identified Career Technical Education (CTE) as a critical area of focus for their states.

Indiana – Governor Mike Pence

“Career and technical education can provide our students with a pathway to success. It can launch entrepreneurs, give kids a reason to finish high school, and create a well-qualified workforce that will encourage business to build here and grow here. We have to give our kids, our future, every opportunity for success. That means quality schools, choices about their education and multiple pathways to success.”

Governor Pence wants to expand CTE in Indiana, and encourages greater collaboration between agencies to do so. In his state of the state address, Pence proposes creation of Regional Works Councils to help bridge the barriers between education and businesses. The Councils would assist with the creation of “regional, demand-driven curricula to bring high-paying career options to more Hoosiers in high school.”

Watch Governor Pence’s full address.

Rhode Island – Governor Lincoln Chafee

“Rhode Islanders looking for work need to be ready not only for today’s economy, but for the economy of tomorrow. And Rhode Island employers looking to hire or expand need to have confidence that there will be qualified candidates to fill available positions.”

Governor Chafee recognizes the need to connect secondary education with postsecondary education and the workforce. As part of his commitment to preparing students to the fullest extent, he has allocated in this year’s budget over $14 million to support repairs at Rhode Island’s CTE facilities.

Chafee also proposed no tuition increases for students at the Community College of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and the University of Rhode Island, as well as a $6 million increase for higher education. He also proposes $3 million in new state support for workforce development initiatives.

Watch Governor Chafee’s full address.

Wyoming – Governor Matthew Mead

“We recognize in Wyoming the importance of higher education whether it is a four-year or two-year degree. And we also recognize the value of career and technical education.”

Governor Mead lists CTE as one of his priorities for education in Wyoming, along with issues such as high school graduation rates, charter schools, and minimizing the potential for school violence.

“I would like to recognize those with technical training who roll up their sleeves every day to do the hard work. We too often take their contribution for granted. Our plumbers, welders, technicians, custodians, carpenters, heavy equipment operators – these are the people who do not always get the credit they deserve in building our state.”

Read Governor Mead’s full address.

Governors Pence, Chafee, and Mead are just three of the many governors who plan to prioritize CTE-related issues over the next year. Next week, NASDCTEc will highlight governors’ addresses that focus on partnerships, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and other CTE-related issues.

Kara Herbertson, Research and Policy Manager
David Beckett, Advocacy Manager 

Despite proposals from both sides of the aisle, President Obama and Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives, led by House Speaker John Boehner, have yet to reach an agreement on the fiscal cliff.

If no agreement is reached and the 8.2 percent across-the-board cuts, or sequestration, to federal programs occur in early January, Career Technical Education (CTE) would be one of many areas impacted. Sequestration would result in a $92 million reduction in Perkins funding for the next school year.

On Monday, President Obama made his third fiscal plan offer to House Republicans. The President’s offer would permanently repeal the sequester and backload $100 billion in nondefense discretionary cuts. Obama’s plan would include $1.2 trillion in new revenues from individual income taxes and include a permanent extension of Bush-era tax cuts for those making less than $400,000 per year. The plan also includes $1.22 trillion in spending reductions.

While White House staff hoped that House Republicans would work from Obama’s plan, Boehner announced Tuesday that he would pursue a Plan B bill that would raise income taxes for millionaires – extending the Bush-era tax rates for income less than $1 million – but would not address sequestration cuts, entitlement spending, and other expiring provisions. Boehner’s plan has already been stalled in the Senate and received a veto threat from the White House.

Since Monday, there have been no formal talks between the offices of Obama and Boehner. While House Republicans have rejected Obama’s offer, the President is encouraging them to “take the deal” in order to address the fiscal cliff crisis before the start of the new year. The end of the lameduck session, originally scheduled for December 14^th, has been postponed until at least this Friday as Congress continues to work toward a deal.

Kara Herbertson, Research and Policy Manager

Democrats in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate have announced their committee assignments for the 113^th Congress, and some changes could impact Career Technical Education (CTE).

Senator Blumenthal (CT), a CTE supporter, and Senator Merkley (OR) will be leaving the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. Senators Christopher Murphy (CT), Elizabeth Warren (MA), and Tammy Baldwin (WI) will join HELP. On the Senate Appropriations Committee, which handles funding for federal programs, Senator Sherrod Brown (OH) will be leaving. View the full list of Democratic Senate Committee assignments here.

The House Education and the Workforce Committee will include several additional Democratic members including Representatives Jared Polis (CO), Gregorio Camacho Sablan (Northern Mariana Islands), and Joe Courtney (CT). The House Appropriations Committee will also add several Democrats including Representatives Tim Ryan (OH), Dutch Ruppersberger (MD), Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (FL), and Steve Israel (NY).

Review a current list of Congressional leadership for the 113^th Congress on our Congressional Contacts webpage.

Kara Herbertson, Research and Policy Manager

Both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate have released their calendars for next year. Compared to the last two years, the recess periods for the House and Senate are more in sync for 2013.

Congress will convene on Thursday, January 3^rd. The House and Senate calendars are available online. We encourage CTE State Directors and district-level staff to reach out to their Members of Congress to plan school visits during these recess weeks.

Kara Herbertson, Research and Policy Manager