Labor and Workforce Development (LWD) Policy Committee

A RESOLUTION URGING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO FUND STATE AND LOCAL INITIATIVES THAT EDUCATE AND TRAIN WORKERS FOR MANUFACTURING JOBS

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

A RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR A FULL EMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND TO CREATE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE UNEMPLOYED

WHEREAS, it is a goal of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) to continue the Caucus’ effort to uplift families and communities;

WHEREAS, the members of the NBCSL recognize that the creation of jobs is the key to solving the high unemployment rate, and other pressing negative issues that impact the quality of life for minorities and women in particular, and citizens in general;

WHEREAS, research shows that in September 2017 there were 6.8 million people unemployed, 5.1 million people working part time who wanted full time employment, and 1.6 million people who wanted and were available for work but had not searched for a job in the month before the survey;

WHEREAS, research shows there is a real need to pass job creation legislation, achieve full employment and secure a living wage job for every person in the U.S. who wants one;

WHEREAS, in 2013, Congress attempted to pass the Humphrey-Hawkins Full Employment and Training Act, which if enacted, would have directed the U.S Secretary of Labor to establish a Full Employment National Trust Fund with two separate accounts for (1) Employment Opportunity Grants to states, local government, and Native American tribes for job-creating activities in communities whose economy is not at a level of full employment; and (2) Workforce investment programs;

WHEREAS, the bill attempted to amend the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to revise member composition requirements for state and local workforce investment boards to include at least 25 percent of the chief executive officers of minority-serving, community-based organizations;

WHEREAS, the U.S. has suffered substantial unemployment and underemployment over prolonged periods of time;

WHEREAS, unemployment and underemployment expose many workers and families to significant, social, psychological and physiological cost, including disruption of family life, the loss of individual dignity and self-respect, and the aggravation of physical and psychological illnesses;

WHEREAS, persisting unemployment and underemployment have devastating financial consequences, resulting in the loss of income and spending power for families, and interfering with their ability to save and accumulate assets for a secure family and retirement; and

WHEREAS, there is a strong need for seeking the progressive reduction and elimination of job disparities among groups of workers who experience chronically higher rates of unemployment and underemployment.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) supports the establishment of a Full Employment National Trust Fund with two separate accounts for: (1) Employment Opportunity Grants to states, local governments, and Native American tribes for job-creating activities in communities whose economy is not at a level of full employment; and (2) Workforce Investment programs;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL calls on Congress to pass legislation to establish the National Full Employment Trust Fund and to create employment opportunities for the unemployed in the United States of America; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NBCSL send a copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, members of Congress, 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

A RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESS TO MAINTAIN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION AND TO RESTORE ITS FUNDING IN 2018

WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators has a long history of supporting meaningful economic development and strategic investment in communities for citizens;

WHEREAS, states should receive assistance in designing and implementing strategies to change economies in minority communities;

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) is the only United States federal agency whose sole mission is to support local and regional economic development efforts across the nation;

WHEREAS, in 2015 the EDA invested approximately $238 million into locally driven economic development projects nationwide; and

WHEREAS, the budget released by the Trump Administration for FY 2018 proposes to eliminate the EDA and begin its closure in 2018.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) recognizes the importance of the EDA urges Congress to maintain the EDA and its funding when designating 2018 appropriations to the U.S. Department of Commerce; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NBCSL send a copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, members of Congress, United States Secretary of Commerce, and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.

• SPONSOR(s): Assemblywoman Dina Neal (NV), Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (SC), Senator Anastasia Pittman (OK), 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

A RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESS TO MAINTAIN THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT DISASTER RECOVERY PROGRAM IN 2018 APPROPRIATIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD)

WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators has a long history of supporting meaningful economic development and strategic investment in communities for citizens;

WHEREAS, states should receive federal assistance to help cities, counties, and states recover from presidentially declared disasters, especially in low-income areas

WHEREAS, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Community Development Block Grants Disaster Recovery program (CBDG-DR), has been an integral part in rebuilding homes, communities and workforces in the wake of natural disasters;

WHEREAS, CDBG-DR program allows for funding for a broad range of recovery activities such that provides communities and neighborhoods–that otherwise might not recover due to limited resources–federal funding to rebuild;

WHEREAS, The Trump Administration’s FY 2018 budget proposes to eliminate funding for the Community Develop Block Grant program, which would also eliminate CDBG-DR assistance;

WHEREAS, HUD supports housing, community facilities, economic development, and social service projects, mainly for low and moderate income residents with its CBDG funding; and

WHEREAS, the impact of 2017 natural disasters in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida demonstrate the need for CDBG-DR program to continue providing states funding so that their communities can recover from natural disasters.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators recognizes the importance of the CBDG-DR funding and we urge Congress not to eliminate funding for CBDG-DR when determining the appropriations for HUD in FY 2018 and beyond; 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 Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.

• SPONSOR: Assemblywoman Dina Neal (NV)
• 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