Troy Talk
A Renaissance Of Vocational And Technical Education
I admit it….I was guilty…guilty of being one on those voices, who for far too long tried to define the academic success of our children after high school by whether or not they attended a college or university. This thinking ignored the simple fact that while going to a four-year college is laudable, it is not always what is best for everyone.
A Beam of Light on a Sound Idea: The BEAM Act
Most of us still remember the economic freefall that started in 2008. Despite economic improvement, scars remain. And one of those ever-present reminders are people who bought homes at the high-water mark and are still underwater regarding their mortgages. It’s a homeowner’s nightmare, owing more for a home — the largest personal investment most people make — than what you can sell it for. I can attest to this from personal experience.
Developing A Workforce That Achieves Growth With Equity
One of the fundamental challenges with combating income inequality is ensuring that we have a workforce in place to meet the needs of today’s employers, while being mindful of where the jobs of tomorrow will exist. This requires meaningful strategic investment in New Jersey’s greatest asset -- our human capital -- and making sure that wages for our labor force match that investment. This investment is critically important in today’s day and age as many on the higher rungs of the economic prosperity ladder have done well, while residents in the middle and lower end of the economic scale have largely been left behind.
Women's History Month
In my blogs, I often refer to days, weeks or months that have special significance to us as New Jersey residents and as Americans. This month, Women’s History Month takes front-page status because of its importance.
Share The Magic Of Reading During Read Across America Day
Who hasn’t had a “good read” that left you feeling satisfied, exhilarated, alarmed or better informed? Most of us have felt these emotions if we’ve experienced the joy of a rewarding book.
It’s an experience that we should pass on, and the idea and the benefits of reading carry special meaning tomorrow. March 2 is Reading Across America Day, a celebratory event that the National Endowment for the Humanities created in 1998 to motivate and foster a love of reading for children.
Why Our Democracy Needs You: A Call For Folks To Run For Office
This past Monday, we celebrated Presidents Day, acknowledging the men (so far) who have achieved the highest political position in our country. What is interesting about the mix of our presidents, other than gender, is the variety. Some were rich, others of modest means. Some went to Ivy League schools, and others didn’t even attend college (Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore). Some came from gilded backgrounds of opulence and privilege…while others got their fingernails dirty.