2019 -- S 0815

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LC002059

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING APRIL 30, 2019, AS "THE STATE DAY OF THE COOPERATIVE" IN

RHODE ISLAND

     

     Introduced By: Senators Cano, Nesselbush, Ruggerio, Ciccone, and Bell

     Date Introduced: April 30, 2019

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, Worker-owned cooperatives are business enterprises that are owned and

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governed by their employees and have two common characteristics, member-owners invest in and

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own the business together and share the enterprise's profits, and decision-making is democratic,

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with each member having one vote; and

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     WHEREAS, In 2012, the United Nations declared "The Year of Cooperatives" and

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encouraged governments "to establish policies, laws, and regulations conducive to cooperative

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formation and growth"; and

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island provided for the creation of Worker-Owned Cooperatives as a

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recognized form of business incorporation with unique characteristics, through legislation that

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allows workers and investors to form workers' cooperatives and specifically aimed at

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empowering workers; and

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     WHEREAS, Worker-Owned Cooperatives have a long and proud history of building

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wealth, security, equality, resiliency, solidarity, and hope for individuals and families, especially

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in those communities and among those populations historically disadvantaged; and

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     WHEREAS, Because Worker-Owned Cooperatives are owned by their workers, they

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concentrate as much on creating lasting and meaningful employment and good, healthy working

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conditions as they do on generating profits for the owners/workers; and

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     WHEREAS, Worker-Owned Cooperatives have as their express purpose and charter the

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increase of equity, participation in democratic governance, control of working conditions,

 

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security, and control of economic destiny for their members; and

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     WHEREAS, The diverse communities of Rhode Island offer myriad opportunities for

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entrepreneurship, innovation, development, and investment by Worker-Owned Cooperatives,

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whose members hail directly from those communities and whose business activities directly serve

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those communities and whose actions are directly accountable to those communities; and

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     WHEREAS, Conversion of businesses to Worker-Owned Cooperatives to avoid closure

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or sale to out-of-state entities, represents a sound and creative response by this State to the

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inevitable retirement of Rhode Island small business owners; now, therefore be it

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

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hereby proclaims April 30, 2019, as "The State Day of the Cooperative" in order to celebrate and

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promote the proliferation and growth of Worker-Owned Cooperatives in our State - businesses

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which have demonstrated the ability to bring "the economic benefits of a fulfilling life with a

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good job" along with dignity and self-determination, to individuals and communities around the

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State; and be it 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 Fuerza Laboral/Power of Workers.

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LC002059

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