Advancing Workforce Legislation

Before the onset of COVID-19, members told us that workforce issues topped the list of their key business concerns; it is becoming clear that they have become even more urgent and complicated in the wake of the pandemic.
 
Legislation that seeks to create a stronger hospitality workforce pipeline is advancing through the legislature, and we need your help to keep it moving forward. 
 
SF1262, a bill to create grants to expand the ProStart and Hospitality Tourism Management Programs in Minnesota high schools, was heard yesterday in the Senate Jobs committee. 
 
Watch our senate testimony here.
 
The bill (SF1262/HF1324) has now received a hearing in both bodies and is being considered for addition to the Jobs Omnibus bill, a decision likely to be made in the coming days. This time is now to act:
 
Contact our bill authors and thank them for moving HF1324/SF1262 forward and ask them to keep going to bat for inclusion of this critical workforce initiative this session:

• House authors
• Senate authors

 
Contact the committee members and legislative leaders and ask them to ensure that HF1325/SF1262 is included as a priority in the omnibus bill:

• House Workforce Division Members
• Senate Jobs Committee Members
• House Speaker: rep.melissa.hortman@house.mn
• House Minority Leader: rep.kurt.daudt@house.mn
• Senate Majority Leader: sen.paul.gazelka@senate.mn
• Senate Minority Leader: sen.susan.kent@senate.mn

 
SUGGESTED LANGUAGE:
 
RE line: Please include HF1324/SF1262 in the omnibus workforce/jobs bill
Dear [insert legislator name]:
 
The ProStart and Hospitality Management Programs (Fact Sheet) are critical to workforce development and the recovery of the hospitality industry. Please work to ensure that HF1324/SF1262 is included in the 2021 Omnibus Jobs bill. These successful national programs are already in 100 schools in Minnesota and we need to continue to grow these opportunities for young people. Please review this video and share it with your colleagues.
 
Thank you for your support!
 
Sincerely,
[insert your name and organization]