Do you support Gateway to Work?

First announced by Governor Maggie Hassan in February, Gateway to Work would connect businesses with community colleges through apprenticeship programs, increase job-training, and provide child care and transportation assistance to help welfare recipients stay in the workforce.

This welfare to work initiative would utilize federal funds originally earmarked for welfare assistance that the state believes will be a surplus. The cost is between $15 million and $20 million annually over five years.

Up for consideration since May, the initiative has not passed nor is expected to pass this year.

Supporters of Gateway to Work argue that it addresses the mismatch that exists between job openings in the labor market and workforce skills.

Others counter that Gateway to Work was not included in the original state budget and therefore should go through the standard budget process in 2017, especially because future costs are hard to predict.