Latest news with #InternationalBrotherhoodofElectricalWorkers
Boston Globe
5 days ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
‘It's outrageous': Mass. governor forays into national debate over Texas redistricting vote
'It's outrageous, and it impacts all of us across this country,' Healey said at a news conference after meeting with the Democrats. 'This is what everybody hates about politics, and we're not standing for it.' Tuesday's visit was more than just a 'welcome to Boston,' Healey said, but instead an opportunity to sound the alarm on what she views as a nationwide threat. Advertisement If passed, the Texas maps would add five new Republican districts. The maps would also mean that for a primary election six months away, voters wouldn't know which district they'll vote in or who they can vote for. 'Not only is it stealing a voice from Texas voters, it's stealing the voice and the vote from voters around this country, from all Americans,' Healey said. 'All Americans are going to be impacted by what the next Congress looks like.' Advertisement By leaving the state, the Texas Democrats effectively blocked voting on the new maps by breaking a quorum, or the minimum number of lawmakers required for the legislature to conduct official business. If Democrats were still in Texas, they could be forcibly returned by Department of Public Safety state troopers, but the department doesn't have jurisdiction outside the state. A Texas senator on Tuesday asked the attorney general, Ken Paxton, also said Tuesday that if the Democrats did not return by Friday, he Democratic Texas state Representative Ron Reynolds spoke alongside other Texas Democrats during a news conference at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union hall on Monday in Warrenville, Ill. Scott Olson/Getty 'The price to pay pales in comparison to the rights of everyday people, everyday constituents that we represent proudly,' said Houston Representative Armando Walle, who traveled alongside his colleagues to Boston for the National Conference of State Legislators' annual summit, which is being held this week at the Thomas Michael Menino Convention & Exhibition Center. 'We're not scared, not scared at all.' Typically, state legislatures redraw congressional district lines once every 10 years to reflect the latest US Census. But Texas Republicans began their recent redistricting effort after pressure from the Trump administration, which demanded state leaders seven-member majority in the US House. Not all states allow for mid-decade redistricting. Texas, which has the second-largest congressional delegation in the country, does. In a CNBC interview on Tuesday morning, Trump blamed blue states like Massachusetts for initiating the current redistricting push. Advertisement 'They did it to us, the blue states you were talking about,' Trump said. 'In Massachusetts, I got, I think, 41 percent of the vote, a very blue state, and yet [Democrats] got 100 percent of Congress. One hundred percent. I got 40, 41 percent or something, and yet 100 percent of Congress in Massachusetts? No, it shouldn't be that way.' Trump received 36 percent of the vote in Massachusetts in 2024. Texas Democrats said the maps being proposed during this special legislative session are not only partisan but would also suppress the votes of people of color by breaking up voting blocs in districts with large minority populations. The US Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that states can draw electoral maps on partisan grounds, but the Voting Rights Act maintains that the map cannot suppress the voting rights of people of color. The current Texas map, passed in 2021, is being challenged in court on allegations that it violates the act. Secretary of State Bill Galvin, the state's top elections official who also met with the Democrats Tuesday, said the new maps would be 'splintering communities of color.' 'This is a very deliberate destruction of minority communities with the objective of trying to get more seats,' he said. Beyond Texas, Republicans have looked at redistricting in states where the party has control of the government, such as Missouri and Indiana, as a means to preserve a Republican majority in Congress after the 2026 midterm elections, which have historically gone against the party in the White House during a president's first term. Ohio is redrawing its map due to a court order, which could lead to Republican gains. Advertisement Democrats in California, Illinois, and New York hit back, When asked Tuesday if there is potential for Massachusetts to draw new maps before the next census, Galvin said it's not likely. 'We have no Republicans to give.' Matt Stout of the Globe staff contributed to this report. Samantha J. Gross can be reached at
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion - Valuing diverse career paths for all graduates
As students around the country put on their caps and gowns and prepare to graduate high school, they are no doubt thinking about their future. For many graduates, going to college makes sense as they work towards a career that requires a higher degree, such as medicine or accounting. But for other graduates they may choose a different path, such as a trade school, going directly into the workforce, or bravely volunteering to serve our nation in the Armed Forces. All are equally important. A college degree is a necessary requirement in some job sectors, but it should be viewed as a pathway to the workforce instead of a piece of paper to hang on the wall. In South Jersey, we have some of the best colleges and universities in the country that help students build meaningful careers. But for over 50 years the narrative for our students has been that you have to go to college to make it in America. It's time to change the conversation and prepare our students for the demands of the workforce. Parents, guidance counselors, college professors, teachers, community leaders and elected officials should celebrate all our graduates and the career paths they choose. Growing up, I enjoyed taking things apart and putting them back together to understand how they work. I loved to work with my hands, so while my siblings decided to attend traditional four-year colleges, I chose the other four-year school: a Registered Apprenticeship Program with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). It allowed me to earn while I learned and set me on a path to go from the construction site to Congress. Some of the most in-demand jobs don't require a four-year college degree. Airplane mechanics, construction trades, chefs, flight attendants, bus drivers, health care aides, and servicemembers, are only a few of the high-demand jobs that leave you with little to no debt and set you up for a successful career. A recent National Defense Industrial Association survey found that 63 percent of private sector respondents said it was somewhat difficult or very difficult to find skilled trade workers. We have to make career and technical education more accessible and celebrated, and South Jersey serves as a model for states nationwide. Our Camden County and Gloucester County Technical Schools offer job training and certification programs that make our students career ready. Many times, these students are already employed in their field by the time they graduate high school. Rowan College of South Jersey and Camden County College offer career certification and pre-apprenticeship programs in health care, welding, auto-mechanics and other trades. We also need to make a point to celebrate and honor students who decide to join our military. That's why I started the Congressional School to Service Program to celebrate high school seniors who choose to serve in the U.S. military after graduation with a certificate of commendation and red, white, and blue cords to wear at their graduation ceremonies. Bottom line is, at home, in our schools, and in our communities, we need to improve our perception of post-high school career, educational and training opportunities. Collectively, we can encourage our students to explore every career path. Investing in access to apprenticeship programs and career-ready training is necessary to meet the demands of the future and to ensure our students have good jobs and a career they can be proud of. It takes a wide range of jobs to keep our country running. Whether it's the doctors and nurses who keep us healthy, the servicemembers who keep us safe, or the construction workers who build our homes, each plays a pivotal role in moving our country forward. They should all be valued equally, and in Congress, I will continue to champion opportunities that meet the needs of our students and celebrate their choices. It's what they deserve. Donald Norcross represents the 1st District of New Jersey and is a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Valuing diverse career paths for all graduates
As students around the country put on their caps and gowns and prepare to graduate high school, they are no doubt thinking about their future. For many graduates, going to college makes sense as they work towards a career that requires a higher degree, such as medicine or accounting. But for other graduates they may choose a different path, such as a trade school, going directly into the workforce, or bravely volunteering to serve our nation in the Armed Forces. All are equally important. A college degree is a necessary requirement in some job sectors, but it should be viewed as a pathway to the workforce instead of a piece of paper to hang on the wall. In South Jersey, we have some of the best colleges and universities in the country that help students build meaningful careers. But for over 50 years the narrative for our students has been that you have to go to college to make it in America. It's time to change the conversation and prepare our students for the demands of the workforce. Parents, guidance counselors, college professors, teachers, community leaders and elected officials should celebrate all our graduates and the career paths they choose. Growing up, I enjoyed taking things apart and putting them back together to understand how they work. I loved to work with my hands, so while my siblings decided to attend traditional four-year colleges, I chose the other four-year school: a Registered Apprenticeship Program with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). It allowed me to earn while I learned and set me on a path to go from the construction site to Congress. Some of the most in-demand jobs don't require a four-year college degree. Airplane mechanics, construction trades, chefs, flight attendants, bus drivers, health care aides, and servicemembers, are only a few of the high-demand jobs that leave you with little to no debt and set you up for a successful career. A recent National Defense Industrial Association survey found that 63 percent of private sector respondents said it was somewhat difficult or very difficult to find skilled trade workers. We have to make career and technical education more accessible and celebrated, and South Jersey serves as a model for states nationwide. Our Camden County and Gloucester County Technical Schools offer job training and certification programs that make our students career ready. Many times, these students are already employed in their field by the time they graduate high school. Rowan College of South Jersey and Camden County College offer career certification and pre-apprenticeship programs in health care, welding, auto-mechanics and other trades. We also need to make a point to celebrate and honor students who decide to join our military. That's why I started the Congressional School to Service Program to celebrate high school seniors who choose to serve in the U.S. military after graduation with a certificate of commendation and red, white, and blue cords to wear at their graduation ceremonies. Bottom line is, at home, in our schools, and in our communities, we need to improve our perception of post-high school career, educational and training opportunities. Collectively, we can encourage our students to explore every career path. Investing in access to apprenticeship programs and career-ready training is necessary to meet the demands of the future and to ensure our students have good jobs and a career they can be proud of. It takes a wide range of jobs to keep our country running. Whether it's the doctors and nurses who keep us healthy, the servicemembers who keep us safe, or the construction workers who build our homes, each plays a pivotal role in moving our country forward. They should all be valued equally, and in Congress, I will continue to champion opportunities that meet the needs of our students and celebrate their choices. It's what they deserve. Donald Norcross represents the 1st District of New Jersey and is a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
IBEW Touts 'Landmark' New Tentative Agreement With CBS
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the largest union representing CBS employees, has reached a new tentative agreement with the network that it calls a 'landmark' deal with 'one of the most significant wage packages in the nearly 90-year history of the relationship.' 'This tentative agreement reflects a new era of partnership and progress that recognizes the important contributions of IBEW-represented technicians while embracing the challenges and opportunities of the future,' IBEW International President Kenneth W. Cooper said in a statement Tuesday. More from Deadline Deal!: Will Smith Music Video Shoot IATSE Picket Over As Producers & Union Reach Agreement, With Oscar Winner's Help – Update 2025 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming How To Watch The 2025 American Music Awards 'From news and sports to streaming and operations, IBEW members are the engine behind CBS's continued success, just like they have been since 1939. We believe this agreement not only speaks to CBS's commitment to national and local broadcasting, it also reinforces the value of skilled union labor and reflects a shared vision for adapting to the fast-evolving media landscape,' Cooper's statement continued. Specific details of the deal have not been disclosed, given that members still need to vote to ratify it. In addition to wage increases, the IBEW says the agreement establishes a framework for conversations between the union and CBS on artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, particularly impacting broadcast. Added George Cheeks, Co-CEO, Paramount Global and President & CEO of CBS: 'The skilled technicians and valued employees represented by IBEW have been a bedrock of CBS's success since the early days of television, and that continues as we chart our future together. I want to thank IBEW leaders Kenneth Cooper and Robert Prunn for setting the tone in a collaborative, forward-looking negotiation that worked through issues together and delivered value for all our stakeholders.' Best of Deadline 'Hacks' Season 4 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? Everything We Know About 'Hacks' Season 4 So Far 'The Last Of Us': Differences Between HBO Series & Video Game Across Seasons 1 And 2 Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nevada film tax credit proposal promises jobs, spurs debate
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — As a bill that would introduce a movie industry tax credit is considered, Nevadans debated on Friday the quantity of jobs it will create, and if the legislation is competitive with other states. During a May 9 Nevada Assembly Ways and Means Committee meeting, legislators heard arguments for and against an $80 million annual tax credit, possibly starting in 2028 and ending in 2043. 'We're asking in this bill for the industry to make an investment in the state of Nevada,' Nevada Assemblywoman Danielle Monroe-Moreno said. The studios would have to spend a minimum of $400 million in Nevada, 50 percent of its photography and filming must take place in Nevada, and the film would need to be finished within 18 months to qualify for the tax credits. Electrical and carpentry worker unions filled the Nevada Legislature hearing room in Las Vegas. Most of them voiced support for Assembly Bill 238. 'This is going to be a multi-generational type of investment within the state,' said Ronnie Young, spokesperson for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. 'We're looking at not only job growth, but a diversification of the economy in Nevada, which … is going to produce apprenticeship opportunities, new trades.' The committee heard arguments against the Assembly Bill, specifically about concerns over the competitiveness of the tax credits. Anahit Baghshetsyan, a research assistant at Nevada Policy, made the case that the Assembly Bill would be similar to those in effect in 30 other states, potentially making the incentive less competitive. 'We cannot base our policy recommendations on shallow promises,' Baghshetsyan said. 'But we can base it on existing statistics and make sure that Nevada doesn't go down the wrong road.' Young responded to claim that the tax credit and movie studio in Summerlin was unfair to northern Nevadans. 'If you think about it, there's tons of places to film within Nevada,' Young said. 'They're not limiting it to just Southern Nevada … Tahoe is beautiful. The mountains of Reno are beautiful. We have some really cinematic-ready areas in Nevada. I think that they can expand … all over the state.' A similar film bill, currently in the State Senate, would build a studio for rent at Harry Reid Technology Park. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
