State LiLA Activity

LiLAs appeal to state leaders concerned about their states’ economic competitive position and the strength of their workforce. In 2005, Maine became the first state to launch a state-based LiLA program. In 2006, Illinois was the first state to pass legislation for a pilot in the healthcare sector that provides state matching dollars for LiLA account contributions. Despite the challenging economic times, LiLA bills were introduced this year in six states: California, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Washington, and Wisconsin. LiLA program initiatives are also taking place in Illinois, Kansas City (MO/KS), New York City, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Boston and Washington.

Below, please find an overview of current state-based efforts.

Connecticut Rhode Island Massachusetts Virginia New York Vermont New Hampshire New Jersey Maryland Maine Florida North Dakota Iowa Tennessee Minnesota Mississippi Illinois Ohio Arizona Missouri Indiana New Mexico Nevada Alabama Colorado Kansas Utah Texas California South Dakota Wisconsin Nebraska Michigan Arkansas Lousiana Oregon Wyoming West Virginia Delaware Georgia Pennsylvania Oklahoma Idaho Montana Washington Kentucky North Carolina South Carolina Alaska Hawaii

2009 LiLA Legislative Highlights

California

Several state policy leaders have taken a strong interest in LiLAs, despite the current fiscal crisis. Assembly member Fong introduced AB 1320 to establish a Lifelong Learning Account program in 2012. The bill provides for matching funds for employee LiLA account contributions, contingent upon funding. AB 1320 recently passed out of the Assembly and will be taken up in the Senate next session.

Illinois

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) awarded CAEL a new supplemental grant to expand the Illinois state-wide LiLA health care pilot (ILHCP). This funding was in addition to the allocation made pursuant to a successful 2006 bill that was introduced by State Senator Don Harmon (D-39). With support from DCEO, the Polk Bros. Foundation, and Prince Charitable Trusts, CAEL is running the ILHCP, which targets frontline healthcare workers, who receive an additional match on their LiLA savings from the state.

Indiana

CAEL continues to work with Indiana State Representative Sheila Klinker (D-27) and State Senator Sue Errington (D-26) to bring LiLAs to Indiana. Representative Klinker introduced HB 1036, which would provide tax credits to employees who invest in LiLAs as part of a new statewide pilot program. HB 1036 passed out of the House. The Indiana State Chamber of Commerce worked with CAEL during the last session to advance LiLAs in the state.

Maine

Governor John Baldacci (D) and the Maine Department of Labor launched the Maine Lifelong Learning Accounts Program in 2005. Under this program, the Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community provide career and education advising to LiLA participants, and the Finance Authority of Maine manages the investment of the LiLA contributions as a part of the state’s 529 (NextGen) program. A matching contribution is available for low and moderate income workers. CAEL is providing technical assistance for the program.

Minnesota

CAEL is working with IBM and the Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) to build support for LiLAs across the state. As a result of our visibility campaign, Representative Kim Norton (D-29b) introduced HF 72, which would provide tax credits to employers and employees for their LiLA contributions, technical assistance to employers and career and education advising to employees, subject to appropriation.

Washington

The state LiLA team, led by the Washington Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (WTECB), has launched the Pacific Mountain LiLA demonstration and has begun to reach out to employers. State Representative Phyllis Kenney (D-46) and State Senator Derek Kilmer (D-26) introduced legislation (HB 1129 and SB 5555) to establish a steering committee that would develop a state policy framework for LiLAs, address program design and accountability issues and explore funding opportunities. SB 5555 passed out of the Senate, but did not move in the House.