Intel has a huge presence in Arizona. Brings lots of jobs to this state, and yes, Intel is known for supporting Rethugs.
So to hear a former CEO lash out at Brewer for her proposed cuts to education is very encouraging. Hopefully her lobbyists will let her re-think her budget cuts.
snips~
Gov. Jan Brewer and the state's top lawmakers got a reality check Tuesday from former Intel Chief Executive and Board Chairman Craig Barrett, who told them Arizona's education system is hindering economic-development efforts.
Education is a major sticking point in the discussions; Brewer is proposing a $170 million cut to universities and a reduction of $72 million in K-12.
The Senate has passed a budget with deeper cuts - $235 million to universities and $242 million to K-12. The House has yet to begin its deliberations."Quality education is extremely important to a place like Intel," Barrett said. "(The) education cutbacks don't bode well for that."
Barrett, who said he was not speaking for the company, made his remarks at a board meeting of the newly created Arizona Commerce Authority, the quasi-public agency that replaced the state's Department of Commerce.
Barrett said if Intel were starting anew, Arizona likely wouldn't be in the running for its business.
"I hate to say it, but I think Arizona would not be in the top 10 locales to make that investment," he said.
(He goes on to say that they may even leave the US because god-forbid they have to pay taxes.)
Barrett's comments were echoed by several authority-board members, all of whom are executives of leading Arizona businesses.
Judy Wood, president of Contact One Call Center Inc., said she was concerned about K-12 education. Arizona schools traditionally rank low in both funding and test scores. Wood said she hires for a lot of entry-level jobs and has found that students are lacking in basic skills.
Read more:
http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/azelections/articles/2011/03/30/20110330arizona-education-intel-ceo.html#ixzz1I6XFsjQ7Why are Republican governors soooo stupid? Do they not realize that cuts to education and healthcare impact the amount of new business to their states? It doesn't matter if you are the CEO or an entry level worker, people want the best education for their kids. And access to healthcare.