Gov. Hutchinson talks workforce training, review of child welfare system

Keeping with his campaign rhetoric, Gov. Asa Hutchinson met with reporters on Tuesday to tout three measures designed to realign workforce education efforts in Arkansas. He also talked about a review of the state’s child welfare system.

Surrounded by cabinet members and legislators who are promoting a workforce education overhaul, Hutchinson said four principles were guiding his efforts in passing legislation and reorganizing state agencies.

Hutchinson said his principles included:
• Regionally, business and industry should guide job skill training programs;
• Partnerships with two-year colleges, technical schools, and high schools were needed;
• Funding for workforce training “has to follow” business and industry; and
• State government agencies should be organized around these principles.

“What we’re doing is not novel. What we’re doing is critical,” Hutchinson said.

He noted that three bills in the legislature will achieve many of the principles he outlined.
SB 791 would establish regional boards within the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services. Hutchinson had touted 10 regional councils that he plans to fill with appointments of business leaders, if it passes. He advocated for a similar structure on the campaign trail in 2014.

Another bill, yet to be designated, is in draft form currently. It would provide grants to the Department of Higher Education and Department of Career Education for immediate job skills training.

Hutchinson said $15 million is immediately available from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and other funding sources for this purpose for the two-year and technical schools. The governor said he planned to move another $2 million from discretionary funds within his control for grant programs for these higher ed partnerships.

A third measure, SB 368, would create an Office of Skills Development in the Department of Career Education to better coordinate state efforts.

In shaping a new Governor’s Cabinet on Workforce Education, Hutchinson indicated that he would not designate a subordinate to handle the task. He said he would lead the group and expected to see significant improvement in workforce efforts after the focus on the legislative session ends.

CHILD WELFARE
Hutchinson also fielded a question on the ongoing Rep. Justin Harris saga and the rehoming issue.

There has been plenty of discussion over the issue since news broke involving Rep. Justin Harris, R-West Fork. A story in the Arkansas Times earlier this month detailed allegations about an adoption Harris and his wife, Marsha, completed in 2013 involving two children. According to the story, an Arkansas State Police investigation showed the children were given to another couple, Eric and Stacy Francis. Eric Francis was later arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting one of the children and was sentenced to 40 years in prison on the charge.

Neither Justin nor Marsha Harris have been arrested or charged with anything in connection with the investigation. Harris, who resigned his committee leadership posts Monday afternoon, said he supports making the practice a felony.

Hutchinson said he has ordered an independent review of the child welfare system within the Department of Human Services and said it will be directed out of the Governor’s office. He added that more than the rehoming and adoption circumstances would be reviewed indicating it would be a “broad array of programs.”

When asked about Harris’ decision to step down from his leadership posts in the General Assembly, Hutchinson said, “That’s a decision that the House leadership and Rep. Harris made, in terms of his role on various committees. Let me address it this way, I’ve been concerned from day one that we’re doing the right thing for the children of Arkansas through our Department of Human Services.”

When pressed if he thought Harris was still fit to serve, Hutchinson said, “”I will leave the legislative questions to leadership of the legislature.”