BILL NUMBER: AJR 45	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Fong

                        JUNE 29, 2010

   Relative to Lifelong Learning Accounts.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AJR 45, as introduced, Fong. Lifelong Learning Accounts.
   This measure would urge the federal government to create and fund
programs that encourage lifelong learning, such as Lifelong Learning
Accounts, within California.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, California has a lower percentage of young adults, ages
25 to 34, who have completed high school or who have earned a college
degree than the national average; and
   WHEREAS, 66 percent of California's working adults, ages 18 to 64,
over 15 million adults, are without an associate's degree, college
degree or a higher degree; and
   WHEREAS, Working-age adults in California are 27 percent more
likely to participate in the workforce than those with only a high
school diploma; and
   WHEREAS, The lifetime earnings of Californians with a college
education are more than double those of Californians without this
education. Persons with a college education also have fewer health
problems, are less likely to commit crimes, are more likely to
participate in civic activities, and are able to create more
resources for the state; and
   WHEREAS, The federal government encourages the citizens of the
United States to gain more education so as to enable the country to
compete more effectively in the global economy; and
   WHEREAS, All levels of government could encourage savings to pay
for higher education opportunities for working adults to allow those
adults to acquire new skills, raise their standard of living, and
prepare them to be part of the workforce in our changing economy; and

   WHEREAS, Lifelong Learning Accounts have been shown to be an
effective method to encourage employers and employees to set aside
money to pay for tuition, fees, supplies, materials, and books
necessary for further education and training; and
   WHEREAS, The Legislature supports the creation of innovative
programs that encourages lifelong learning, including Lifelong
Learning Accounts, that might be available through funding from the
federal government because those programs will lead to a more skilled
workforce which will, in turn, help California maintain its role as
an economic leader in today's changing economy; now therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of
California, jointly, That the Legislature of the State of California
urges the federal government to create and fund programs that
encourage lifelong learning, such as Lifelong Learning Accounts,
within California; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United
States, to the Secretary of Labor, to the Secretary of Education, to
the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and to each Senator and
Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.