It’s becoming increasingly clear that Americans cannot compete in a global market of multi-national corporations undermining American workers with a third world labor force bypassing payroll taxes, Social Security and health benefits. Our failed trade policies like NAFTA and CAFTA are to blame for this displacement and are also the reason our government is aggressively pursuing the construction of a slew of multiple trade corridors throughout the U.S., including the Trans Texas Corridor system in Texas. Two articles from the Texas Insider follow…
Link to article here.
Cornyn: Passage of America Competes Act Will Expand Job Opportunities for Texans
Legislation Sen. Cornyn co-sponsored will increase innovation, help ensure America’s competitiveness in global economy
Published: 04-30-07
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Senate approved bipartisan legislation to expand American competitiveness by a vote of 88-8 on Wednesday. The America COMPETES Act (Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education and Science) will increase innovative opportunities in technology, education and science. Sen. Cornyn is an original co-sponsor of the legislation.
“Passage of this bill is a needed step to protect and promote American competitiveness in an increasingly global economy,” Sen. Cornyn said. “Investing in science and technology, and increasing our ability to innovate, is an important part of keeping the economy in Texas and America strong. This initiative will expand opportunities here at home.”
The legislation will encourage and expand U.S. innovation by: (1) increasing research investment and (2) strengthening educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics from elementary through graduate school. The America COMPETES Act is based on the National Academies’ “Rising Above the Gathering Storm” report and the Council on Competitiveness’ “Innovate America” report. The bill mirrors bipartisan legislation introduced at the end of last year by the Senate Leaders.
“Our ability to innovate is crucial to the success of our economy and competitiveness with other countries,” Sen. Cornyn said. “We must do more to encourage education in math and science. This legislation makes an important investment in America’s future by supporting advances in these fields.”
Sen. Cornyn has a strong record of working to enhance America’s competitiveness. Sen. Cornyn co-sponsored the Patent Reform Act last week to help maintain American innovation and competitiveness by reforming the patent system.
In addition to backing previous legislation, he convened a summit in Austin last April to focus on workforce partnerships—collaborations between community colleges and local employers (public-private partnerships) designed to equip employees with new skills or help them transition to better careers. He has met with universities, community colleges and employers across Texas to promote initiatives that will maintain America’s competitive edge.
The America COMPETES Act is based in part on legislation co-sponsored by Sen. Cornyn in the last Congress, including the National Innovations Act, the National Competitiveness Investment Act and the Protecting America’s Competitive Edge (PACE) Act.
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Link to article here.
Gonzales Secures a Seal of Approval
Branding Program Promotes Texas Manufacturing
AUSTIN–State Representative Veronica Gonzales (D-McAllen) saw passage of HB 3446 on the House Floor on Tuesday. The bill was joint authored with Rep. Rose (D-San Marcos), Rep. Jim Keffer (R-Eastland), Rep. Joe Deshotel (D-Beaumont) and Rep. Brian McCall (R-Plano) to establish a branding program, “Genuine Texas”, for Texas manufactured products. The initiative would also develop a campaign to provide a competitive edge for Texas manufacturing industry by creating a logo for Texas-made goods for consumers to identify.
“The ‘Genuine Texas’ campaign will be the ‘Don’t Mess With Texas’ of this century,” said Gonzales. “I am excited for this bill’s potential to encourage consumers to support Texas manufactured goods. We have seen the effective efforts through the Texas Parks and Wildlife anti-littering campaign; ‘Don’t Mess With Texas’ and I look forward the implementation of this program that will further fuel Texas manufacturing.”
With the unanimous support in the House, if HB 3446 is equally successful in the Senate, a fee of up to $100 can be charged for the right to use the exclusive state logo, “Genuine Texas”. The branding program would also establish product quality standards for Texas manufacturers, set penalties for violations of improper use of the logo by manufacturers and create an advisory board of members.
“Texans have a long honored legacy of state pride and this bill promotes state pride through support of the manufacturing industry here at home,” said Gonzales. While the manufacturing sector is a strong contributor to the State’s economy, the branding program would keep the state competitive against increased cheap labor available overseas which could take manufacturing jobs away from Texas.