GCP testimony supports education reform component of Jobs Budget

Monday, May 02, 2011

Cleveland, Ohio—Carol Caruso, the Greater Cleveland Partnership’s senior vice president of advocacy, testified today before the Ohio House Finance Committee in support of operational changes within Ohio House Bill 153, the Jobs Budget. Caruso joined representatives from other economic development organizations who are part of the Ohio Campaign for Jobs, a grassroots initiative to secure passage of the major reforms contained in the Jobs Budget.

Today’s testimonies called particular attention to provisions that strengthen Ohio’s job-creation climate. Caruso focused on education reform, noting that the Jobs Budget provides ways to:

  • Offer parents more options on school choice
  • Retain and reward quality teachers
  • Encourage and reward innovation
  • Reform or close poor-performing schools
  • Prioritize spending

“Too many families, particularly in the large, urban systems, are held hostage to poor-performing schools,” said Caruso. She noted that budget proposals, which empower parents to know more and be able to do more to help failing schools, include a new ranking system that will let them see how their child’s school measures up. In addition, parents would gain the right to demand that their school district fix poor-performing schools and have more school-choice options through increases in vouchers and charter schools.

Caruso also focused on budget provisions that reward outstanding teachers with a new bonus pay system, reform antiquated licensure rules and eliminate seniority as the sole determinant of teacher retention. Support for new technologies, as well as provisions to deal with the poorest-performing schools in Ohio, were also spotlighted by Caruso. Click here to read her full testimony.

Linda Woggon, executive vice president, Ohio Chamber of Commerce and a leader in Ohio’s Campaign for Jobs, and Matt Davis, vice president, government affairs, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, also testified today.

Woggon focused on budget changes in higher education to speed up the degree process, create charter universities and boost college readiness. She also discussed provisions that push local governments to economize through shared services and reductions in construction costs.

Davis zeroed in on budget provisions that will support the new JobsOhio entity, as well as modifications to the state’s prevailing wage requirements on private development projects and expansion of the New Refundable Job Retention Tax Credit. Click here for more information about Woggon’s and Davis’ remarks.

Ohio’s Campaign for Jobs is funded by the Partnership for Ohio’s Future, a not-for-profit organization formed in 2006 to help educate the public about policies that lead to more jobs, greater opportunities and a higher quality of life for Ohio citizens. The Campaign is supported by Ohioans who agree that the Jobs Budget provides a responsible, timely plan for spending, modernizing operations and supporting jobs development. To learn more, visit www.campaignforjobs.com.

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As an association of business members, the Greater Cleveland Partnership mobilizes private-sector leadership, expertise and resources to create jobs and leverage investment to improve the economic vitality of the region. www.gcpartnership.com

 

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