Pub. 1 2019-20 Issue 1

Issue 1 2019 19 WVADA than two years, the amount that has to be re- paid can be prorated. In addition, there are some circumstances where students won’t have to repay the money because they aren’t considered to be violating the agreement. These include, but aren’t limit- ed to, the following: • They can attend a university on a part- time basis. • They can serve within the U.S. military system. In addition, the debt can be forgiven if they die or are disabled (permanently or temporarily) and a qualified physician signs a sworn affida- vit to that effect. This is a good program that should help many students in West Virginia get the training they need to begin working without having to wor- ry about debt. t This is a good program that should help many students in West Virginia get the training they need to begin working without having to worry about debt . What inspired S.B.1? The driving force behind SB 1 was to raise the awareness that fantastic careers and opportuni- ties await those who pursue careers in the trades and technical fields. I became inspired to intro- duce legislation that would create an innovative, cost-effective method of assisting traditional and non-traditional students with “last dollar in” fi- nancial support for obtaining an associate degree or advanced training certification for careers in high demand within our state. Encouraging individuals to look toward technical schooling by removing the financial impediments is a neces- sary step. Our focus on this program will catapult West Virginia to nation- al prominence in the area of workforce training by providing our citizens with an opportunity to gain or enhance a skill set that can be immediate- ly utilized for productive employment. What was the path towards passing S.B.1? It was a two-year process. The first year the Senate passed it, and it stalled in the House. This year we achieved success by educating the legislative membership on the many advantages of the program. It was an educational process. Additionally, many employers were actively en- gaged in conveying their needs for a trained and skilled workforce. This program is a vital tool in the quest to hire world-class employees for West Virginia businesses. What are your thoughts about who will benefit from S.B.1? The benefits of SB 1 will be felt at all levels of society in West Virginia. Young people who are graduating high school and looking for a career path other than the traditional four-year college route will undoubtedly benefit. Likewise, non-traditional students such as single mothers, un- employed factory workers, coal miners, and others will have the oppor- tunity to gain new skill sets and share in a brighter future. The impact is enormous. Families, communities, and our entire state will benefit. A job is more than a paycheck. It brings dignity and self-respect to people, which in turn alleviates drug problems and many more social issues. What are you most proud of in regards to S.B.1? SB 1 rolled out July 1. We had more than 2,000 applications on the web- site before the program was even live, and we have 1,500 people using the program already. It’s been hugely successful. http://wvmetronews.com/2019/09/02/tucker-hap- py-with-last-dollar-in-numbers-expects-rise/?fbclid=I- wAR2Rq-3oBQ2XzfJ3AuA5dHICc6KUYh0gq1pzyMH- gn8wp_eQhN6KZjFudvdE AQ&Awith Senator Mitch Carmichael Senator Mitch Carmichael on Facebook