JFAC approves $50 million one-time and $10 million ongoing for adult education and technical colleges

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved a funding package Tuesday for the Division of Career Technical Education that includes a $50 million one-time appropriation for adult education and literacy and related programs and $10 million ongoing general-fund trustee-and-benefits payments to postsecondary programs for distribution to technical colleges.

Senator Woodward moved the committee to add $2,273,700 in federal-grant spending authority, $50,000,000 one-time from the general fund for adult education and literacy, and $10,000,000 ongoing to support postsecondary technical colleges. The motion was seconded and approved on a roll call; the chair announced the bill will be forwarded with a do-pass recommendation.

Committee analyst Mr. Campbell summarized the language presented to members: the first section describes use of the appropriated funds; the second requests a report from the Office of the State Board of Education on outcomes of adult education and literacy investments over the preceding five fiscal years; the third section provides exemptions from object-transfer limitations for several CTE programs; and the final section imposes conditions, limitations and restrictions on the funds.

Senators and representatives speaking in favor noted waiting lists and workforce shortages as reasons to accelerate investment in adult education and postsecondary technical capacity. The committee accepted the language shown on the screen by unanimous consent; no formal roll-call was required for the language acceptance.

The committee announced the vote totals during roll call and the chair declared the majority voted in favor. The committee forwarded the appropriation and the associated language as a bill with a do-pass recommendation.