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House passes tuition measure

CHARLESTON — At least one education reform bill — meant to get more West Virginians into the workforce — has passed the House of Delegates Wednesday.

Senate Bill 1, creating a last-dollar-in community and technical college program, passed the House 85-13 with no discussion. If the Senate approves of the House changes to the bill, it will go to the governor’s desk next.

SB 1 creates the Advanced Career Education program and the West Virginia Invests Grant Program, both aimed at getting high school students and adult learners’ certificates or two-year degrees in high-demand jobs in the state.

The House amended the bill Tuesday to include not just the state’s nine community and technical colleges, but the two-year programs available at six colleges and universities in the state. The amendment raises the price tag of the program from $7.5 million to $9.9 million.

The bill, a passion project for Senate President Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson, unanimously passed Jan. 23 out of the Senate. He said the House’s $2.5 million increase shouldn’t cause issues in the Senate.

“It doesn’t make or break it,” Carmichael said. “We’ll take a look at it and make sure it doesn’t impact anything else negatively. We’re thrilled that the House agrees with the Senate’s objective of providing community and technical college education to the workforce across West Virginia to incentivize our students, parents, and people who want to return to the workforce to go get the jobs that are necessary to support our economy.”

The Advanced Career Education program partners with high schools and community and technical colleges for workforce training programs. When completed, high school students and adult learners could receive a two-year degree of a certification. For high school graduates, the West Virginia Invests grant program would fund community and technical college education once grants and other forms of financial aid are exhausted.

In both programs, the state Department of Commerce would determine which specific fields require the most jobs and work with the West Virginia Community and Technical College System to determine the kinds of training needed. Students participating in either the ACE or West Virginia Invests grant program would only be able to earn a certificate or degree in a program that puts them in a high-need job as determined by commerce.

Participants in the last-dollar-in program would need to submit to periodic drug tests and perform acts of community service. They would also need to remain in the state for two years or be forced to pay back the full cost of the grant.

One of the opponents of the bill — Delegate Jim Butler, R-Mason — announced in January his intention to run for the state Senate seat held by Carmichael. Butler offered three amendments to SB 1 Tuesday, but all failed. He voted against the bill Wednesday.

“Sometimes those of us here in the Capitol forget we’re representing people back home who are working every day and we don’t have a pot of money just sitting here to hand out,” Butler said. “I do think this creates a sense of entitlement for students. I think people appreciate the things that they work for.”

Butler said he was concerned that students who get a partially free ride to community and technical colleges might be less inclined to complete the two-year degree programs.

“Our completion rates at the two-year technical schools now are 30 percent,” Butler said. “If we get to where people aren’t even paying for that, I think the rates will go down. I hope I’m wrong about that, but I’ve looked at some national studies and that’s the case.”

Carmichael also introduced a similar bill to SB 1 in 2018 which passed the Senate but did not make it out of the House.

“I’m thrilled,” Carmichael said. “It’s been a two-year effort. This is the type of a bill that can fundamentally change the economy of West Virginia. We have a lot of jobs available, but the workforce needs some additional training. It lifts people out of poverty; people who want to return to the workforce, but perhaps lost a job for one reason or another. Now they can get a job without a huge financial obligation.”

“It’s a good day for West Virginia,” Carmichael said.

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