Legislation being proposed at the Capitol could help to re-educate Wisconsin’s workforce.
State Representative Cory Mason (D-Racine) plans to introduce the Wisconsin Jobs Initiative, which would help businesses modernize their facilities, expand the state’s Technical College System, and provide more financial aid.
Mason says the bill could help nearly 40,000 people access financial aid and continuing education courses, which he says is essential to getting people back to work in good family supporting jobs.
The proposal would be funded by a one-percent income tax increase on those making over $1 million a year. Mason says it would generate about $145 million a year, which the state would use to also help access $135 million in federal dollars.
The federal portion is part of the American Graduation Initiative, which is currently working its way through Congress. Mason says he wants to see his bill passed this fall, so Wisconsin can quickly access that money when the federal legislation is passed.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 1:05)
