MADISON – Rep. Rodriguez (R-Oak Creek) joined her Assembly Republican colleagues on Wednesday in supporting a package of bills aimed at building Wisconsin’s workforce.
Assembly Bill 164 (AB 164) modernizes the Unemployment Insurance program and renames the program as ‘Reemployment Assistance’. “Unemployment Insurance is intended to help those down on their luck to become gainfully employed and get them back on their feet. This shift towards Reemployment Assistance supports that goal and will ensure Wisconsinites are getting the support they need to transition back into the workforce,” began Rodriguez.
Assembly Bill 162 (AB 162) requires any state agency that operates or oversees a workforce development program to track and report annually the performance of that particular program. “This reform is a basic way for lawmakers to make sure tax dollars being spent are providing a positive result,” commented Rep. Rodriguez.
Assembly Bill 166 (AB 166) requires Wisconsin institutions of higher education – including the Universities of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Technical College System, and private colleges and universities in the state – to provide key data on popular degree programs, financial aid, graduation rates, and the average graduate’s salary and student debt. The Higher Educational Aids Board will make this data available to the public to help high school students make informed decisions on what’s next after graduation.
“Making sure our high school students graduate college- or career-ready is so important, and AB 166 will help our state’s teenagers and their families to make informed decisions about their plans after graduation,” explained Rodriguez.
Following today’s Floor Session, these bills will now go to the State Senate for consideration.
