Our state and our nation are facing a critical skills gap. I meet often with Rhode Island businesses that are hiring, but cannot find workers with the right skills. Solving that problem must start before young people enter the workforce. Too often, students have already graduated before they consider the full gamut of options. A four-year university is the best fit for some, but not all. We need to ensure that our young people are armed with all the facts before they make major decisions about their futures.
As co-chair of the Congressional Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, I recognized February as CTE Month by reintroducing my Counseling for Career Choice Act. This legislation would support the development of comprehensive career counseling programs and would strengthen the connection between schools and the demands of the workforce.
Every student deserves an education that starts a path to success. We must expand apprenticeships and employer-educator partnerships, make college affordable and help school counselors provide the information necessary for students to make informed decisions. I am committed to education and to career and technical education in particular. If we want the strongest workforce and strongest economy possible, it has to be a top priority.
Preparing your taxes can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. The Free File program provides free online federal and state income tax preparation and e-filing services to low- and moderate-income taxpayers. I hosted an event to raise awareness of these important programs, which ensure that Rhode Islanders receive the full amount of their hard-earned tax refund. By working together, government and the private sector are able to provide this invaluable resource without costing the government a dime.
Improving Fire Safety
Twelve years ago, Rhode Island was devastated by the tragic loss of 100 of our friends and neighbors in the Station Nightclub fire. It was a wake-up call for public officials, and I pledged to do my part to try to reduce the impact of fires on our communities. I will be reintroducing the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act with my Republican colleague, Rep. Tom Reed, to incentivize property owners to retrofit buildings with automatic sprinklers. As I fight for this legislation, I remember the 100 Rhode Islanders we lost.
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