I am also very appreciative that you and members of your committee are allowing for more input regarding the needs of community colleges

Our new governor, Pat McCrory, is placing great emphasis on closing the skills gap to better meet the needs of our citizens who need employment and our businesses that need skilled employees.

I think we are working to educate people and not train them because what we want them to be is lifelong learners.

I expect we will discuss others throughout the hearing, including how the bill encourages greater collaboration with community colleges and promotes accountability over the use of taxpayer dollars.

Employers from across the country are reporting the same: that there are jobs available, but not enough skilled workers to fill them.

I believe it is past time to reauthorize and reexamine the Workforce Investment Act in a way that addresses each of these issues.

It is time to be bold with how we prepare today's workers to compete and succeed in this new economy.

Taxpayer dollars are supporting too many bureaucrats and not enough workers.

Thank you for testifying before the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.

Thank you again for your important contribution to the work of the committee.

I think that what we have here is a--it boils down to a philosophy that either Washington knows best or locals know best.