Should NH launch Gateway to Work?

On Friday the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee tabled Gov. Maggie Hassan’s Gateway to Work proposal, stopping any implementation for at least another month.  The committee also refused to vote on the program in June and July.

Gateway to Work would use a projected surplus in the state’s welfare budget for a job training program.  The state would work with businesses and community colleges to place individuals in paid, six-week apprenticeships.  The state would also help trainees with child care and transportation.

The first year would cost about $8 million.

“Gateway to Work has strong support from the business community because it would move people off of public assistance into sustainable careers, saving taxpayer dollars and providing innovative businesses with the workers they need to grow and thrive,” Gov. Hassan said after the vote. “With a strengthening economy and an unemployment rate that is among the lowest in the nation, the business community is desperate for workers.” 

Some Republicans on the committee are worried that there will not be a welfare surplus this year to fund the program.

“Putting people back to work in good jobs is something Senate Republicans strive to do every day, but not when the state is unable to afford the price tag associated with Governor Hassan’s Gateway to Work program,” said Sen. Andy Sanborn. “Pushing for a new program using [welfare] funds at this time could require our state to engage in deficit spending which I would strongly caution against.” 

Do you support Gateway to Work?  Let us know in the comments.