13-R210
2013 -- S 0713
Enacted 04/11/13
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
WHEREAS, There is a need to ensure the coordination and alignment of
the various
functions and responsibilities throughout state departments to
maximize support of Rhode
Island’s economic and workforce development efforts;
and
WHEREAS, State
departments have a range of plans and activities that should be better
coordinated to provide for a common policy direction and the
maximum and efficient use of state
government resources to promote the
and
WHEREAS, It is the policy of the Rhode Island Senate to provide for
the most efficient
and effective economic and workforce development policy
in the state; and
WHEREAS, In its 2014-2015
Biennial Employment and Training Plan, the
Governor’s Workforce Board recommends increasing the
frequency of cabinet-level meetings on
workforce development matters; and
WHEREAS,
Interdepartmental collaboration and the open exchange of information and
data among various state departments is crucial to better
understanding the impact of the various
departments and their influence on the state’s economic and
workforce development efforts; now,
therefore be it
RESOLVED,
That this Senate of the State of
respectfully requests the Governor’s Office create a Commerce and
Workforce Coordinating
Cabinet comprised of
officials from state agencies with responsibility and oversight relating to
economic and workforce development. The cabinet shall include,
but not be limited to, the
following members: the Director of the Economic Development
Corporation, the Director of the
Department of
Transportation, the Director of the Department of Administration, the Director
of
the Division of Revenue, the Director of the Department
of Human Services, the Commissioner
of Higher Education, the Commissioner of Elementary and
Secondary Education, the Director of
the Department of Business Regulation, the Director of
the Department of Environmental
Management, the Director of
the Department of Labor and Training, the Director of the
Department of Corrections,
the Chair of the Governor’s Workforce Board, and the Executive
Director
of
Development Corporation as
chair; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That the purpose of the Commerce and Workforce
Coordinating Cabinet
shall be to provide for the integration and coordination of
the activities of the various agencies
and departments that are involved in the development of
the
workforce; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That the duties of the Commerce and Workforce
Coordinating Cabinet
shall include, but not be limited to:
(i) Meeting at least monthly to address all issues,
especially those that cross departmental
lines and relate to economic and workforce development of
the state of
(ii)
Reviewing, amending, and proposing all interagency agreements necessary to
provide
coordinated services;
(iii)
Promoting the coordination of state activities as the state implements the state's
economic and workforce development policy and plan;
(iv) Providing for the maximum amount of coordination
amongst the state's various
departments and agencies that influence economic and workforce
development efforts in Rhode
Island;
(v)
Aligning the various operating plans to meet the overall economic and workforce
development plans for the state and provide an exchange of
information amongst the various
stakeholders;
(vi) Providing advice to the Governor on economic and
workforce development policy;
(vii)
Undertaking specific projects as requested by the Governor; and
(viii)
Developing a strategic plan to align and implement the state’s economic and
workforce development strategies among the various departments
included in the cabinet; and be
it further
RESOLVED,
That all departments, offices, boards, and agencies of
the state shall
cooperate with the Commerce and Workforce Coordinating Cabinet
and shall furnish such
administrative and staff support, advice, information, documents and
otherwise, data and data
analysis, and other support as may be necessary or desirable;
and be it further
RESOLVED,
That in carrying out the responsibility under this
order, the cabinet may: (i)
Accept grant funds and
in-kind contributions from governmental and private entities; (ii) Hold
hearings; (iii) Invite academic experts and other witnesses to
submit testimony; and (iv) Contract
with experts and consultants as necessary to inform
deliberations and recommendations; and be it
further
RESOLVED,
That the Secretary of State be and hereby is
authorized and directed to
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the
Governor of the State of
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LC02063
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