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Kulongoski Awards Workforce Grants

Oregon – As part of an effort to build Oregon’s workforce in response to the needs of existing and emerging industries, Gov. Ted Kulongoski has announced nearly $1.4 million in competitive workforce development grant awards. Grants support workforce training in communities across Oregon in manufacturing, metals, information technology and green collar jobs. The funds were awarded to organized partnerships among employers and the education and training community that are working to develop a skilled workforce. Kulongoski said, “Together we can address our workforce shortages in key sectors and diversify our economy in areas such as green building and renewable energy.”
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EDUCATION NEWS

IA – Culver Establishes Core Curriculum. There is no shortage of ideas about how to improve education, “but I am very confident we’re making the right move, we’re headed in the right direction,” Gov. Chet Culver said before signing legislation establishing a model core curriculum for Iowa schools. The Iowa Core Curriculum will provide local school districts a guide to delivering instructional content that is challenging and meaningful to students, he said. It will be required of all 364 public school districts as well as non-public schools. It’s a matter of equity, Culver said. “We want a level playing field so it doesn’t matter if you are growing up in McGregor or Des Moines or Waterloo, we’re going to give you a chance and a fair opportunity.”
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OK – Henry to Increase Physical Fitness Education. Gov. Brad Henry will sign a bill that’s intended to improve the physical fitness of the state’s youngest school students. The bill doubles the amount of time to be devoted to physical activity and nutrition programs. Physical activities are to increase from 60 minutes a week to 120 minutes a week for students in kindergarten through the fifth grade.
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WV – Manchin Discusses State’s Progress with Students. During a visit to West Liberty State College, Gov. Joe Manchin talked about higher education, teacher salaries and the future of downtown Wheeling. He also spoke about improvements he has made in the state in the past four years. ‘’We were ranked eight in the nation in Expansion Magazine as the best place to expand a business,’’ Manchin said. ‘’So I know we have arrived at the marketplace. We also have a rainy day account, which is 13.2 percent of the state’s general revenue – we are third in the nation of having the best. We also lowered taxes to compete in the marketplace. That’s the proof in the pudding, and it’s all documented.’’
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ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT NEWS

MD – O’Malley Signs Law to Protect Environment. Gov. Martin O’Malley recently signed into law a bill that ensures more protection of the most environmentally sensitive and significant lands within the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays watersheds. The Critical Areas law will restore the Critical Area Commission’s regulatory authority to operate with the same authority as every other state agency; significantly strengthen enforcement; provide stronger protection of water quality and wildlife habitats; establish new procedures for processing variances; and require updating of the Critical Area boundary.
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OH – Strickland Signs Landmark Energy Bill. Gov. Ted Strickland has signed into law an energy reform bill that he says will ensure predictability of affordable energy prices and serve as a catalyst to enhance energy industries in Ohio. Increasing energy efficiency, boosting the state’s renewable energy portfolio, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions were among the objectives outlined by Strickland last year. “We will safeguard Ohio families by empowering consumers and modernizing Ohio’s energy infrastructure,” Strickland said. “And we will attract the jobs of the future through an advanced energy portfolio standard-and today’s action by Ohio means that a majority of states now agree that these technologies represent the future of energy in the United States.”
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TN – Bredesen to Convene Energy Task Force. Gov. Phil Bredesen will convene the first meeting of the Governor’s Task Force on Energy Policy to begin the process of developing a state energy plan. The task force is charged with making recommendations to help Tennessee become a leader in energy efficiency and conservation, use of alternative fuels and renewable energy sources, and the development of clean-energy technology.
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GENERAL NEWS

IL – Blagojevich Creates Task Force to Prepare for Earthquakes. Illinois has created a panel dedicated to preparing for earthquakes. Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced the formation of the Illinois Seismic Safety Task Force. It will assess preparedness in high-risk sections of the state.
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MI – Granholm Incentives Bringing Filmmakers to Michigan. Hollywood seems to love Michigan’s new state law offering great tax breaks to filmmakers. State officials say since Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed the legislation last month, 13 deals have been signed. A treasury spokesman says total Michigan production costs from the projects are estimated at more than $100 million.
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NJ – Corzine Signs Family Leave Act. New Jersey became the third state to allow workers paid time off to care for a sick family member or new child, with the signing of a law more than 10 years in the making. Gov. Jon S. Corzine called the enactment of paid family leave a legacy moment for the state. “We are setting the standard across this country,” Corzine said.
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NY – Paterson Calls for Action in Mortgage Crisis. Gov. David Paterson is calling on both the Federal Government and the New York State Legislature to take additional steps to protect New Yorker’s against losing their homes. The Governor called on leaders in the state to adopt the Executive legislation that would assist New Yorker’s currently facing foreclosure, and also help to prevent another crisis from occurring in the future. “We have delivered a package of reforms to the Legislature and I am urging them to give these proposals serious consideration,” said Paterson. “To the credit of the leaders in both the Senate and Assembly, negotiations on this bill will begin this week. But we need to act swiftly to address this crisis and bring relief to thousands of New York States residents who are facing the possibility of losing their homes. The data we see shows this crisis is far from over.”
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WI – Doyle Breaks Ground on Institutes for Discovery. Gov. Jim Doyle broke ground on a new multimillion dollar research complex in Madison. The Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery is a $150 million public-private research complex that will help develop stem cell technology and other scientific research. Officials said the private part of the project, called the Morgridge Institute for Research, will help researchers convert their discoveries into commercial ventures that hopefully will create jobs in the state.
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