Bill Caption

Relating to the establishment of the Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education (TRUE) Program to support workforce education.

Fiscal Notes

According to the Legislative Budget Board: It is assumed that the direct costs associated with the bill's provisions relating to the establishment of the Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education (TRUE) Program to support workforce education could be absorbed using existing resources. However, there would be indeterminate fiscal implications from the amounts and methods of funding for potential grants authorized through the bill's provisions.

Bill Analysis

SB 1102 would establish The Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education (TRUE) Initiative intended to support workforce education at public junior colleges. The bill stipulates that the Texas Higher Education coordinating would award grants to public junior colleges for creating, redesigning, or expanding workforce training programs that lead to postsecondary industry certifications or other workforce credentials required for high-demand occupations.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action is opposed to SB 1102 on the basis of limited government and personal responsibility. Our position and analysis are informed largely by the view that the purpose of education is to create an educated citizenry, not to create good employees for future employers. Considering this view, providing taxpayer subsidized workforce education is not the proper role of government.

If it is in the interest of workforce development to have a program such as that proposed by this bill, private businesses that stand to gain from employing certified individuals can pool resources and create their own training and certification program. They may also work with charitable organizations to help fund their programs. These free market and limited government solutions to workforce development are preferable to creating or expanding taxpayer subsidized programs.