Celebrating Black History Month

Since 1976, Americans have celebrated Black History Month every February, highlighting African American achievements and contributions to our nation. As Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears recently wrote, “As we begin Black History Month, we aim to highlight those who have gone before us, that have helped make us the country we are today.”

At ALEC, we are committed to providing policy solutions for all Americans. We take pride in working side-by-side with state legislators from all walks of life, helping them identify best practices that lead to growth and opportunity. This week, we will highlight several ALEC model policies on economic development and education that do just that.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

• Model Interstate-Mobility and Universal-Recognition Occupational Licensing Act– This model opens state economies and communities to talented, experienced workers by recognizing comparable, out-of-state occupational licenses and qualifications.
• Access to Financial Services for Unbacked and Underbanked Consumers – Over 75 million American consumers are considered to be Underbanked or Unbanked. Yet access to traditional installment credit, secured and unsecured, as well as mainstream financial services is a key enabler to wealth for all Americans. This resolution outlines ways for States to bring financial service choices to the Unbanked and Underbanked.

• Statement of Principles on Ending Home Equity Theft – Home Equity Theft occurs when a government can take an individual’s entire property—with all of its equity—over an unpaid property tax debt of any amount and not return the remaining balance once the outstanding tax debt has been paid. This model seeks to ensure involved parties receive only the money they are owed and that the homeowner receives any remaining amount.
• Housing Affordability Impact Statement Act – This model requires all future legislation to have prepared a housing affordability impact note that shall include a reliable estimate of the anticipated impact on the cost of housing. This bill would greatly impede the future passage of costly regulations on housing.
• Resolution Calling on the Federal Government to Maximize Its Stimulus Support for Broadband Internet Adoption and Use Programs – This resolution identifies opportunities for public-private partnerships, to leverage existing broadband adoption and use programs to increase adoption rates in their communities.

EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY

• Education Savings Account Act – This model policy expands school choice through the creation of a universal education savings account program that any student in the state can access.
• Next Generation Charter Schools Act – This model policy is a compilation of the best practices in charter school policy. This includes maximizing the number of authorizing entities for charter schools, eliminating caps on the number of or enrollment in charter schools, and maximizing public accountability of charter schools.