2013 -- S 0713

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LC02063

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING GOVERNOR CHAFEE TO CREATE A GOVERNOR'S

COMMERCE AND WORKFORCE COORDINATING CABINET

     Introduced By: Senators Felag, Satchell, Cool Rumsey, Walaska, and Lynch

     Date Introduced: March 13, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Commerce

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     WHEREAS, There is a need to ensure the coordination and alignment of the various

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functions and responsibilities throughout state departments to maximize support of Rhode

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Island’s economic and workforce development efforts; and

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     WHEREAS, State departments have a range of plans and activities that should be better

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coordinated to provide for a common policy direction and the maximum and efficient use of state

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government resources to promote the Rhode Island economy and improve the state’s workforce;

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and

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     WHEREAS, It is the policy of the Rhode Island Senate to provide for the most efficient

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and effective economic and workforce development policy in the state; and

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     WHEREAS, In its 2014-2015 Biennial Employment and Training Plan, the Rhode Island

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Governor’s Workforce Board recommends increasing the frequency of cabinet-level meetings on

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workforce development matters; and

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     WHEREAS, Interdepartmental collaboration and the open exchange of information and

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data among various state departments is crucial to better understanding the impact of the various

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departments and their influence on the state’s economic and workforce development efforts; now,

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therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

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respectfully requests the Governor’s Office create a Commerce and Workforce Coordinating

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Cabinet comprised of officials from state agencies with responsibility and oversight relating to

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economic and workforce development. The cabinet shall include, but not be limited to, the

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following members: the Director of the Economic Development Corporation, the Director of the

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Department of Transportation, the Director of the Department of Administration, the Director of

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the Division of Revenue, the Director of the Department of Human Services, the Commissioner

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of Higher Education, the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Director of

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the Department of Business Regulation, the Director of the Department of Environmental

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Management, the Director of the Department of Labor and Training, the Director of the

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Department of Corrections, the Chair of the Governor’s Workforce Board, and the Executive

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Director of Rhode Island Housing. The governor shall designate the Director of the Economic

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Development Corporation as chair; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the purpose of the Commerce and Workforce Coordinating Cabinet

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shall be to provide for the integration and coordination of the activities of the various agencies

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and departments that are involved in the development of the Rhode Island economy and its

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workforce; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the duties of the Commerce and Workforce Coordinating Cabinet

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shall include, but not be limited to:

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     (i) Meeting at least monthly to address all issues, especially those that cross departmental

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lines and relate to economic and workforce development of the state of Rhode Island;

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     (ii) Reviewing, amending, and proposing all interagency agreements necessary to provide

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coordinated services;

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     (iii) Promoting the coordination of state activities as the state implements the state's

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economic and workforce development policy and plan;

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     (iv) Providing for the maximum amount of coordination amongst the state's various

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departments and agencies that influence economic and workforce development efforts in Rhode

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Island;

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     (v) Aligning the various operating plans to meet the overall economic and workforce

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development plans for the state and provide an exchange of information amongst the various

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stakeholders;

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     (vi) Providing advice to the Governor on economic and workforce development policy;

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     (vii) Undertaking specific projects as requested by the Governor; and

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     (viii) Developing a strategic plan to align and implement the state’s economic and

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workforce development strategies among the various departments included in the cabinet; and be

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it further

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     RESOLVED, That all departments, offices, boards, and agencies of the state shall

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cooperate with the Commerce and Workforce Coordinating Cabinet and shall furnish such

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administrative and staff support, advice, information, documents and otherwise, data and data

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analysis, and other support as may be necessary or desirable; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That in carrying out the responsibility under this order, the cabinet may: (i)

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Accept grant funds and in-kind contributions from governmental and private entities; (ii) Hold

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hearings; (iii) Invite academic experts and other witnesses to submit testimony; and (iv) Contract

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with experts and consultants as necessary to inform deliberations and recommendations; and be it

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further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Governor of the State of Rhode Island.

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LC02063

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