Stefanik advocates for collaboration between public and private sectors in workforce training

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, has introduced two bills aimed at expanding public/private collaboration in workforce training. Stefanik highlighted the need for increased accessibility to workforce development, stating that it can equip more workers for in-demand jobs and provide job creators with the skilled workforce they need.

The first bill, introduced on June 14, proposes the establishment of “employer-directed skills accounts” that would allow employees to develop workforce training programs tailored to employer needs. Both the federal government and the employer would contribute to funding the training, which could be provided by the employer or a third-party education contractor.

The second bill focuses on pre-employment screenings. It would allow employers to submit their screening methodology to the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Council to determine if it complies with federal law. Employers that comply would be certified as “job ready.” The bill also includes a provision that prevents the EEOC from using the submitted information to launch an investigation of the employer.

As of July 1, neither of the bills had any co-sponsors. However, Stefanik remains optimistic about their potential impact on workforce training and collaboration between employers and the government.

In other political news of the region, U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, has co-sponsored several bills aimed at addressing discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. One of the bills, HR 4439, expands protection under the Fair Housing Act to include individuals experiencing discrimination based on sex or sexual orientation. The legislation had 14 original cosponsors, including 13 Democrats and one Republican.

Tonko also co-sponsored HR 4422, which imposes sanctions on foreign persons responsible for violations of international human rights protections for LGBTQI individuals. The proposed sanctions are not yet available, but the legislation already has 51 original co-sponsors, all Democrats except for one Republican.

Additionally, Tonko joined Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., in co-sponsoring HR 4393, a bill that prohibits discrimination based on sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation in businesses such as retail stores, hotels, and restaurants. The bill also adds these protections to the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Currently, the bill has 21 Democratic cosponsors.

Moving on to other topics, U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, has made an exception to her usual opposition to new taxes with the goal of protecting national security. She is an original co-sponsor of HR 4380, which proposes a federal excise tax on contributions from Chinese donors to large collegiate endowment funds. The tax would apply to private college and university endowment funds of $1 billion or more and aims to pressure these institutions to remove Chinese entities deemed a threat to U.S. national security. The bill currently has seven Republican cosponsors.

In the state of New York, State Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, recently held a two-hour “listening session” to discuss ways to prevent suicide. Representatives from various sectors, including healthcare agencies, education, non-profit organizations, veterans’ groups, and government officials, participated in the forum. Woerner emphasized the importance of gaining multiple perspectives to better understand the complexities of suicide prevention.

Lastly, Stefanik introduced bipartisan legislation to continue the Northern Border Commission for another 10 years and amend its guidelines to be more flexible in supporting health care and housing projects. The commission is a federal/state partnership that promotes economic and community development in regions along the U.S./Canadian border in states like New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The proposed legislation authorizes $40 million in funding to the commission annually for the first five years and $45 million annually for the remaining five years.

Overall, these legislative efforts highlight various aspects of workforce training, discrimination protections, national security, mental health, and economic development. They reflect the ongoing political developments in the region.

Original Story at poststar.com – 2023-07-08 09:45:00