Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5587, which will help people in Michigan and across the country find meaningful careers in the 21st century workforce by updating our career and technical education programs. As I met with students, teachers, and employers in my district, I have heard consistent support for improving CTE. I know how important it is to modernize this program for today's jobs, from touring places like Southern Michigan Center for Science and Industry in Hudson, Michigan; the Jackson Area Career Center in Jackson, Michigan; Monroe County Community College; and many more. We know that not everyone's path to success in the workplace is the same and, while many students pursue degrees at colleges and universities, many others know their sweet spot lies somewhere else. Career and technical education provides those individuals that opportunity and ensures our aspiring workforce is getting the hands-on training they need and they want. I am particularly pleased that this bill includes my provisions to address outdated and burdensome occupational licensure requirements which can come at the expense of lower income workers, young people, and entrepreneurs who lack the resources to overcome regulatory obstacles. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, nearly 1 in 3 jobs now require a State-approved license or certification; in 1950, it was 1 in 20.…”