Labor and Workforce Development (LWD) Policy Committee

Back to 2016 Ratified Policy Resolutions
Resolution LWD-16-23

ESTABLISHING AND SUSTAINING FUNDING SOURCES TO INCREASE COMMUNITY COLLEGES’ CAPACITY TO CREATE, ADAPT AND MAINTAIN QUALITY CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) COURSES AND PROGRAMS THAT ARE RESPONSIVE TO REGIONAL LABOR MARKET NEED.

WHEREAS, estimated by 2020, two-thirds of jobs throughout the country will require a postsecondary education;

WHEREAS, according to a recent assessment of adult skill levels conducted across 24 developed countries, 36 million adults in the U.S. have low skills, threatening their ability to secure employment and earn sufficient wage;

WHEREAS, low level skills and low levels of literacy are particularly persistent among individuals in communities of color, which will make up a majority of the U.S. population by 2043;

WHEREAS, the fastest-growing segments of our labor force have some of the lowest levels of educational attainment;

WHEREAS, the rate of low literacy among black adults is two times higher than it is among all adults generally (35 percent v. 18 percent); and the gap is even higher among Hispanic adults; 43 percent have low levels of literacy and 56 percent have low numeracy skills;

WHEREAS, the Obama Administration has set aggressive goals for postsecondary attainment in the United States and emphasized the unique role community colleges can play in achieving them;

WHEREAS, individuals lacking in the necessary skills are placed at a greater disadvantage in finding meaningful employment;

WHEREAS, employers need a pipeline of quality workers with different levels of skill derived from postsecondary education and training;

WHEREAS, employers in key industries have difficulty filling job openings because the workforce skills and aptitudes required are in short supply;

WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) understands the necessity to connect employers with those seeking jobs and the need for states to focus on strategic industry partnerships;

WHEREAS, community colleges have a long history as leaders in workforce education, collaboration with business and industry to meet local employment needs;

WHEREAS, community colleges enroll more than 6.7 million credit students annually, more than a third of all undergraduates nationally; and serves almost as many additional students through workforce training and other such non-credit courses; and

WHEREAS, free community college would enable those attending to take better advantage of its services and resources.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the members of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) call upon state leaders who want to increase postsecondary credential attainment to reassess and address the performance of their community colleges, particularly for low income and unprepared students relating to the regional economy;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the members of the NBCSL encourage and support state legislation that enhances the ability of community colleges and the public workforce system to collaborate with businesses, economic development institutions and other state agencies that help firms develop products and processes, secure and grow markets and take advantage of a region’s competitive assets;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL support legislation that establishes a clear vision of the alignment of workforce development, postsecondary education and economic development at the regional level; improve student success and credential completion in community colleges; and identify and target priority clusters and industry sectors critical to regional competitiveness and expansion, and promoting partnerships that engage community colleges in economic development;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL support legislation that creates pathways and curricula driven by industry and labor market needs, contextualizing basic skills and workplace readiness skills into pathway curricula, developing model Career Technical Education (CTE) urricula and ensuring that career pathways meet the needs of non-traditional students;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL support federal and state legislation establishing a sustained funding source to increase community colleges’ capacity to create, adapt and maintain quality CTE courses and programs that are responsive to regional labor market need; and

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

SPONSOR: Senator Ronald Rice (NJ)

  • Committee of Jurisdiction: Labor and Workforce Development Policy Committee
  • Certified by Committee Co-Chairs: Senator Ron Rice (NJ) and Assemblywoman Annette Robinson (NY)
  • Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 4, 2015
  • Ratification is certified by: Senator Catherine Pugh (MD), President
Download Resolution
Resolution LWD-16-24

ESTABLISH LEGISLATION THAT CREATES A RIGHT TO REQUEST FLEXIBLE WORKING ARRANGEMENTS, REQUIRE ADVANCE NOTICE OF WORK SCHEDULES, AND REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TO OFFER EXISTING PART-TIME WORKERS ADDITIONAL HOURS BEFORE NEW PART-TIME WORKERS ARE HIRED

WHEREAS, every day millions of workers have to deal with unpredictable scheduling practices in their workplace which make it difficult to coordinate child care, attend school, or address medical concerns;

WHEREAS, employers are increasingly using “just-in-time” scheduling practices in order squeeze every last bit of savings possible out of their workers;

WHEREAS, these practices shift responsibility for slower demand for a company’s services or products onto the workers, who pay the price when work is slow by being required to be available to work but not actually paid for that availability;

WHEREAS, these practices are devastating to workers, who are left with schedules that change from week to week or even daily, and without enough work hours to make ends meet; and

WHEREAS, eight states have schedule protection laws but few individuals know about them.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) supports in those states with such laws legislation to expand their coverage, increase the minimum number of hours for which workers must be paid, or improve outreach and education about current laws so that workers would be more aware of their existing rights;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL supports the promulgation and passing of similar legislation in states without such laws to ensure workers who are required to be available for work would be provided with a minimum level of compensation;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,  that the NBCSL supports legislation that establishes a right to request flexible working arrangements, require advance notice of work schedules, and require employers to offer existing part-time workers additional hours before new part-time workers are hired; and

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

SPONSOR: Senator Ronald Rice (NJ)

  • Committee of Jurisdiction: Labor and Workforce Development Policy Committee
  • Certified by Committee Co-Chairs:  Senator Ron Rice (NJ) and Assemblywoman Annette Robinson (NY)
  • Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 4, 2015
  • Ratification is certified by: Senator Catherine Pugh (MD), President
Download Resolution
Resolution LWD-16-25

ESTABLISHING AND SUPPORTING LEGISLATION THAT PROVIDE FOR WORKERS’ PROTECTION

WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL), recognize that workers in many states are represented by a union;

WHEREAS, twenty-eight states and the District of Columbia have created Short Term Compensation (STC), also known as “work share” laws as a way to help employers avoid layoffs when faced with a temporary slow-down in business;

WHEREAS, STC allows states to waive their usual Unemployment Insurance (UI) rules to compensate workers who work reduced hours temporarily under an employer plan approved by the state UI agency;

WHEREAS, under a work sharing arrangement, an employer might reduce the work hours of the entire workforce by 20 percent from five to four days a week in lieu of laying off 20 percent of the workforce;

WHEREAS, states with STC programs require employers who seek STC for their workers to submit a formal work-sharing plan for approval; and

WHEREAS, the plan may apply to the employer’s entire workforce or just specific divisions or “affected units.”

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) supports legislation in states considering this policy that includes the following key provisions for workers’ protection:

  • When employees are represented by a union, the union must have consented in writing to the plan;
  • Employees’ health benefits should continue to be provided as if the reduction in work ours had not occurred;
  • Pension contributions should continue to be provided for each hour worked;
  • The plan submitted by the employer should specify the impact of the reduction in work on any other fringe benefits.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an employee’s participation in the plan cannot be precluded or limited, as long as the worker qualifies under the law; and

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

SPONSOR: Senator Ronald Rice (NJ)

  • Committee of Jurisdiction: Labor and Workforce Development Policy Committee
  • Certified by Committee Co-Chairs:  Senator Ron Rice (NJ) and Assemblywoman Annette Robinson (NY)
  • Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 4, 2015
  • Ratification is certified by: Senator Catherine Pugh (MD), President
Download Resolution
Resolution LWD-16-26

CALLING FOR INCREASED REPORTING, TRANSPARENCY AND FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY WITH TAXPAYER FUNDS

WHEREAS, there is agreement that states giving out taxpayer dollars in the form of subsidies and contracts to corporations should make certain that those companies be held fully accountable for how they used the money and they play by the rules;

WHEREAS, states should ensure that taxpayers and states get their money’s worth by tracking and disclosing exactly where taxpayer dollars are going;

WHEREAS, state governments should also establish job creation and job quality standards so that companies receiving tax incentives and subsidies raise, not lower the living standards of working families;

WHEREAS, states spend billions of dollars each year on tax credits, deductions, exemptions and other breaks collectively known as “tax expenditures;”

WHEREAS, states should wherever necessary enhance the state’s ability to evaluate their impact and effectiveness after the fact; and

WHEREAS, tax expenditures often go on indefinitely without scrutiny because of a lack of oversight.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that National Black Caucus Of State Legislators (NBCSL) supports legislation that requires companies that fail to live up to the promises they made to receive the subsidy or the tax break to return the money;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL supports legislation that requires states to regularly prepare publicly accessible tax expenditure reports as part of the state’s budget analysis;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, NBCSL supports legislation that includes a clawback provision that enables money to be recouped due to a failure to comply with agreed-upon terms;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the reports would include all state tax expenditures (both implicit and explicit) and provide information on who benefits, the major impact on state and local revenues, and whether each tax expenditure has effectively met its stated purpose; and

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

SPONSOR: Senator Ronald Rice (NJ)

  • Committee of Jurisdiction: Labor and Workforce Development Policy Committee
  • Certified by Committee Co-Chairs:  Senator Ron Rice (NJ) and Assemblywoman Annette Robinson (NY)
  • Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 4, 2015
  • Ratification is certified by: Senator Catherine Pugh (MD), President
Download Resolution
Resolution LWD-16-33

RESOLUTION ON RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CREATION OF A CONTINUUM OF SERVICE DELIVERY FOR RE-ENTRY PERSONS

WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) has a long history of supporting meaningful re-entry and rehabilitation opportunities for citizens returning from incarceration to their homes and communities;

WHEREAS, individuals should be receiving appropriate service delivery, perform proper and aligned assessments, where agencies use effective tools to assess the risk levels across all integrated agencies of care for re-entry persons;

WHEREAS, successful offender re-entry and reintegration into the community is a matter of critical importance to the public’s safety; however, re-entry is often unsuccessful due to the barriers offenders face, including a lack of access to family and community support;

WHEREAS, the Council of State Governments has presented research and studies on reintegration, wrap around services for re-entry populations, specifically the impact of increased employment opportunities;

WHEREAS, there is research that asserts a continuum of services entered into by one or more contracts through Prisons, Divisions of Parole and nonprofits or private entities, that providing a continuum of services for effective,  necessary reintegration, and appropriate referrals, to offenders or parolees participating in a correctional or judicial program is beneficial;

WHEREAS, comprehensive services such as:  (a) transitional housing; (b) treatment pertaining to substance abuse or mental health; (c) training in life skills;  (d) vocational rehabilitation and job skills training; (e) access and availability of any appropriate self-help groups; (f) social services for families and children; (g) permanent housing (h) financial counseling; (i) domestic violence counseling and family reintegration counseling (j) any other services required by offenders or parolees who are  participating in a correctional or judicial program can improve reintegration results;

WHEREAS, Washington, D.C. has provided research that every two out of every three men were employed before they were incarcerated, and many were the primary financial contributors in their households. Individuals who have been incarcerated can expect future annual earnings to be reduced by some 40 percent after returning to society.

WHEREAS, Department of Labor and the Department of Justice awarded RExO and Second Chance Act grants to support job training and placement for individuals returning to their communities after incarceration. We have the duty and responsibility to make sure there is proper alignment services delivery, risk assessment, continuums of delivery through contract providers and provisions so that there is effective interagency alignment through national and state policies; and

WHEREAS, the American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section has provided research via the NICCC project which identifies, collects, statutory policy which codified collateral sanctions, this research provides a snap shot into states and shines a spotlight on potential impediments to successful re-entry; and the need to address different levels of policy interventions and service integration policies for re-entry persons.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBSCL) recognizes the importance of the creation of a continuum of service delivery for re-entry persons that connects and coordinates, agencies and providers. Provides for constant communication with contract delivery, communication, assessment of risk, services, and needs to make the continuum effective;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NBCSL supports reauthorization of the Second Chance Act, and urges congress to increase authorization amounts, provide increased flexibility, and fully fund programs under the Second Chance Act; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, 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 Co-Chairs:  Senator Ron Rice (NJ) and Assemblywoman Annette Robinson (NY)
  • Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 4, 2015
  • Ratification is certified by: Senator Catherine Pugh (MD), President
Download Resolution
Resolution LWD-16-34

DEVELOPING JOB CREATION PATHWAYS

WHEREAS the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) recognizes that state governments have a vested interest in promoting an economic environment favourable to the creation, expansion and sustainment of small businesses;

WHEREAS, the Pew Center on the States found in a recent study that despite billions of dollars being spent annually by states in tax incentives, grants, loans and other investments for the purpose of fostering business growth, there is little analysis either before, during or after implementation to assess program success;

WHEREAS, small business remains the major economic engine for job creation and economic growth;

WHEREAS, communities throughout the states have not met their potential in growing business and creating jobs;

WHEREAS, both State agencies and private employers have some responsibility in supporting economic development, business growth, and job creation;

WHEREAS, there is decreasing tolerance amongst constituents for the levying of taxes and fees for financing of public government services and government obligations; and

WHEREAS, the most promising approach to raising needed revenues and decreasing the expense of public service programs is by expanding the taxpayer base through creation of more livable wage jobs and thereby decreasing the number of people living in poverty and consequently the money needed to provide adequate social service support and programs.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) supports legislation that:

  • supports the growth diversification and continued success of businesses already established within each state
  • develops and utilizes tools to assess the short and long term success of each program in achieving its workforce development goals,
  • increases small business, and especially micro small business access to loans, grants, tax incentives and other financial vehicles for the purposes of facilitating business growth and development and creating livable wage jobs,
  • facilitates creation of strategic partnerships between the public, private and not-for profit sectors that exploit each sector’s strengths and unique assets to achieve goals that serve the common good, and
  • streamlines and increases small business (especially to the micro small businesses) access to State business development resources and bolster outreach efforts by expanding private participation in the State’s marketing efforts;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL calls on states to collaborate with the minority business development agency and the small business administration to ensure the growth and development of minority business enterprises and small businesses; and

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

SPONSOR: Delegate Terri Hill (MD)

  • Committee of Jurisdiction: Labor and Workforce Development Policy Committee
  • Certified by Committee Co-Chairs:  Senator Ron Rice (NJ) and Assemblywoman Annette Robinson (NY)
  • Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 4, 2015
  • Ratification is certified by: Senator Catherine Pugh (MD), President
Download Resolution