Lawmakers focus budget on job creation

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Senate is appropriating an unprecedented amount of money this session for job training and job creation. SB1, which has now passed out of Senate Finance and is headed to the Senate floor, puts $397.1 million of federal money to the state's workforce commission and $95 million of state money to job training and job creation.

The breakdown of the federal stimulus funds for the Texas Workforce Commission:

• $117.4 million for the Workforce Investment Act of which $34.6 million shall be targeted for programs for adults over the age of 25 and $82.8 million shall be targeted for programs for youth between the ages of 14-25
• $57.4 million for workers who have lost their jobs or have been dislocated from the workforce
• $1 million for community service employment for older Americans
• $28 million for employment services for job seekers and employers seeking qualified individuals to fill job openings
• $193.3 million to increase child care services to allow parents to enter and remain in the Texas workforce

The breakdown state money for job creation and training:

• $30 million more to Workforce Commission's Skills Development Fund which will provide training for 15,000 workers during 2010 and 2011
• $15 million to Workforce Commission to create public/private partnerships with businesses to get first time unemployment insurance claimants back to work.
• $30 million to Higher Education Coordinating Board to expand the number of nurses in the state.
• $20 million to the Higher Education Coordinating Board to provide grants to community colleges in order to increase their enrollment.

The House's efforts to create jobs

The House of Representatives has not yet passed out the budget, but lawmakers on both sides of the Capitol are confident the eventual budget will include a substantial amount of money for job creation and job training.

Rep. Mark Strama is attempting legislation that would take $1 billion out of the state's "rainy day fund" and put it in a so-called "sunny day fund."

"Renewable energy is the industry of the future," said Strama. "If we could use that money to bring in more federal money for renewable energy companies, we could attract the businesses we need to the state and put people to work."

Solar legislation is expected to make a breakthrough this legislative session, with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers backing bills that would encourage solar companies to bring their work to Central Texas.

However, when it comes to easing the fears of Austinites who work in the high-tech industry, Strama said a lot will ride on each person's own creativity.

"In times of recession, often comes innovation," said Strama. "I encourage those with high-tech skills to look at the industries that are growing and find a way to part of the industry of the future."

Governor Rick Perry commented also on Texas' ability to create new jobs.

"Businesses like UnitedHealth Group come to the Lone Star State seeking the best possible location to invest and risk their capital, the best available workforce, regulatory systems that protect without stifling innovation, and tax structures that allow folks to keep more of what they earn," said Gov. Perry. "We have worked hard to establish these key characteristics of Texas' business climate, and will continue to protect these job creating elements in the months to come."

This session, he is also requesting that lawmakers replenish the Texas Enterprise Fund and Emerging Technology Fund and continue to support policies that will promote the state's economic development and job creation.