Rep. Hudson's jobs bill passes Senate

A measure co-authored by Rep. Richard Hudson that aims to improve job-training programs passed the U.S. Senate this week.

Hudson’s bill, which was cosponsored by Illinois Democrat Bobby Rush, passed the U.S. House in February as a standalone provision. It was included in a separate provision in the Senate called the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015. Now, the Senate and House will go to conference over the Senate Measure and a similar one passed in the House in December.

If it becomes law, Hudson’s measure would direct the Secretary of Energy to work to identify skills needed in a 21st century energy economy. Then, the secretary would be directed to encourage state education agencies with those skills. It would connect individuals with job-training programs.

In a news release about the measure’s passage in the Senate, Hudson said: “Like most North Carolinians, my priorities are jobs, the economy, and making sure we have access to reliable and affordable energy. That’s why I’m pleased to see the Senate supported my bipartisan bill to close the skills gap by strengthening job-training programs and empowering workers to get and keep 21st century energy and manufacturing jobs.”