Don’t want a four-year degree? California has a plan for you to ‘thrive’
Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!
GOVERNOR TOUTS EDUCATION PLAN
Gov. Gavin Newsom traveled to Modesto Wednesday to celebrate the release of a plan meant to make it easier for Californians to receive targeted training and education and better set them up for future jobs.
The Master Plan for Career Education came after Newsom in August 2023 ordered agencies to consider ways that young people could be encouraged to pursue careers that don’t require a college degree. Its recommendations include creating a “new statewide planning and coordinating body” and improving workforce training for young people and older adults.
Newsom said he didn’t want people in the state to feel that their “life is over” if they didn’t have a “fancy four-year degree. Quite the contrary.”
Adding, Californians “can thrive, not just survive, in this new economy.”
The report said the state is removing “unnecessary degree requirements” for certain entry-level jobs and Newsom said the effort will be expanded.
“We’re not denying the importance of higher education, a four-year degree,” he said. “But we’re also not trying to turn our back on people that just don’t see that in their future.”
BONTA SECURES INJUNCTION AGAINST FEDERAL FIRINGS
via William Melhado ...
A judge in Maryland this week extended a temporary block on the Trump administration’s firing of probationary employees from 20 different federal departments.
The order only applies to California, Washington, D.C., and 18 other states as the legal challenge is ongoing.
Last month, Attorney General Rob Bonta joined more than a dozen other states in a lawsuit seeking to block the firings of newly hired employees. Federal departments have let go at least 24,000 probationary employees since President Donald Trump took office, according to Bonta’s lawsuit.
U.S. District Judge James Bredar issued a temporary restraining order shortly after the suit. Bonta has also sued to block the firing of more than 1,000 U.S. Department of Education employees.
Bonta called the latest decision “an important victory for the rule of law, which blocks the administration from terminating federal employees without lawfully required notice,” in a statement. “California will continue to fight to protect our federal workforce, and the services Californians rely on.”
Bredar gave federal departments until April 8 to undo the terminations of all probationary employees.
The White House did not return a request for comment by deadline.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Our country and its taxpayers have been ripped off for more than 50 years but it’s not gonna happen any more.”
- President Donald Trump said Wednesday while announcing tariffs in the White House Rose Garden.
Best of The Bee:
Trump tariffs: Will Californians pay more for cars, phones, clothes?, via David Lightman
Former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announces run for governor, via Jenavieve Hatch
Gov. Gavin Newsom ‘did not pay attention’ to committee hearing on trans athletes, via Lia Russell
Gov. Gavin Newsom addresses return-to-work order. What did he say?, via William Melhado and Stephen Hobbs
Trump picks outspoken CA lawmaker to be a new U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, via Kate Wolffe
Gavin Newsom’s telework policy has ‘altered the course of bargaining,’ unions say, via William Melhado
