Policy Resolution LWD-18-31

WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators recognizes and understands the importance of the manufacturing industry in the United States;

WHEREAS, a strong manufacturing sector is essential to our nation’s success and to our ability to raise wages and provide family supporting jobs;

WHEREAS, research has shown the manufacturing industry creates high paying jobs, drives technological innovation, strengthens our national security and generates more economic activity than any other sector;

WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, the manufacturing industry contributed $2.175 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2016;

WHEREAS, according to the National Association of Manufacturers, for every $1.00 spent in manufacturing another $1.81 is added to the economy, which represents the highest multiplier effect of any economic sector;

WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 12.3 million manufacturing workers in the United States, which equates to 9 percent of the workforce;

WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2015 the average manufacturing worker in the United States earned $81.289 annually;

WHEREAS, studies have shown that millions of new manufacturing jobs may be needed in the future but will likely go unfilled due to a skills gap;

WHEREAS, a healthy manufacturing sector is essential to meeting national challenges, such as rebuilding U.S. infrastructure, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels;

WHEREAS, on average, a non-college educated worker in manufacturing made 10.9 percent more than similar worker in the rest of the economy; and

WHEREAS, manufacturing employs a higher share of workers without a college degree than the economy overall.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State legislators encourages the federal government to prioritize and fund state and local initiatives that educate and train workers for manufacturing jobs; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, Vice President of the United States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and the United States Secretary of Labor and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.

• SPONSOR(s): Senator Ronald L. Rice (NJ), Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (SC), Senator Anastasia Pittman (OK), and Delegate Angela Angel (MD)
• Committee of Jurisdiction: Labor and Workforce Development Policy Committee
• Certified by Committee Chair(s): Senator Ron Rice (NJ) and Senator Will Smith (MD)
• Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 2, 2017
• Ratification is certified by: Representative Gregory W. Porter (IN), President