Choosing the Right Priorities

Oct 1, 2012
           Congressman Langevin at a job fair for veterans

Dear Friends,

Recent information from our state’s Department of Labor and Training (DLT) underscores the importance of addressing Rhode Island’s skills gap to strengthen and expand the middle class. While we must create more quality jobs, we have far too many good-paying positions going unfilled because employers can’t find qualified workers. Careers like “computer systems analysts” and “software developers” are among the areas in which DLT reports workers are in high demand.

That’s why I’ve been a steadfast advocate for initiatives like the one that brought IT and health care training courses to CCRI. I’ve also taken the lead in building bipartisan support for the Perkins Act, which gives students and workers the equipment and instruction required for effective training.

Last week I took part in an announcement of federal funding that will boost our efforts to assist the unemployed and expand skills training. In part, these funds will help career centers around the state offer personal assistance to unemployed workers to get them back on their feet and help them find their next job. Furthermore, DLT will rehire some employees who provide services to the unemployed after the agency was forced into layoffs earlier this year. I joined my colleagues in the state’s Congressional delegation in requesting relief for these employees from the U.S. Secretary of Labor, and I’m pleased we received a positive response.

As your representative, I enjoy hearing about the issues on your mind. Please stay in touch via email, Facebook and Twitter, and check out my YouTube and Flickr pages.

Sincerely,

           Rep. Langevin's Signature

Congressman Langevin at NetCenergy in Warwick
Preparing Students for Growing Careers
While providing immediate assistance to the unemployed and underemployed, we must also ensure our education system gives students the skills and opportunities to reach their full potential. I have been proud to work with New England Institute of Technology to prepare our youth for one of the country's fastest growing fields, cybersecurity, by establishing Rhode Island's Cyber Foundations Competition. This program is a centerpiece of an effort to build up an industry that will provide sustainable job creation and growth in our state. I encourage all students with an interest in computers to get involved. The registration deadline for this fall's contest is October 15 and more information is available on my website.

 
Congressman Langevin speaking with a senior
Getting Our Priorities Straight on Seniors’ Health
On the Providence Journal editorial page, a senior fellow at one of the nation’s leading right-wing think tanks recently defended the House Republicans’ proposal to turn Medicare into a voucher program. He summed up the mentality behind their plan: “asking seniors to pay substantially more is precisely the way to improve Medicare.” Yet the same right wing groups that support the GOP plan, which would force seniors to pay up to $6,400 more for health care, also think we need to give trillions of dollars in tax cuts to the wealthiest two percent. We need to push back against this mindset and I invite you to read my full response.
 
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