Florida Senator Ashley Moody is at the forefront of a growing national effort to strengthen career and technical education (CTE). The TRADES Act (S. 4907), which Moody introduced in the U.S. Senate, proposes increasing the federal tax rate on investment income for universities with multi‑billion‑dollar endowments—such as Harvard and Yale—to match the capital‑gains rate paid by individual investors. The additional revenue would be earmarked for Perkins CTE state grants, which currently serve roughly 12 million students across the country.
Broad Coalition Backs the Bill
A diverse coalition of trade associations, business organizations, and educators has formally endorsed the legislation. The Jobs and Careers Coalition, representing 33 employers and business groups, joined the American Dental Hygienists Association (ADHA), the Automotive Service Association (ASA), and the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA) in supporting the measure.
“It’s exciting that the TRADES Act is gaining steam,” Moody said. “My bill supports Floridians who want to learn in‑demand trades or skills, increasing America’s commitment to training the next generation for meaningful career opportunities.”
Industry Leaders Cite Skilled‑Labor Shortages
Automotive and technical service leaders highlighted acute shortages of qualified technicians. Dan Stander, chairman of the ASA, explained, “As I travel around the country and meet with automotive shop owners, the number one challenge our industry faces is attracting, developing, and retaining highly skilled automotive repair technicians.” He added that the legislation would help strengthen tomorrow’s workforce by expanding Perkins CTE programs.
Patrick O’Brien, director of government relations and compliance at NIADA, echoed the concern, noting that “the demand for highly trained technicians continues to outpace the available workforce” as vehicles become more complex.
Healthcare and Union Support
The ADHA stressed the importance of a robust dental‑hygiene pipeline, especially for rural and underserved communities. “Strengthening the dental hygiene workforce pipeline is critical to expanding access to care,” the association said.
Earlier endorsements came from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Hillsborough County Public Schools, the Associated General Contractors of America, Associated Equipment Distributors, and Associated Industries of Florida. Teamsters President Sean M. O’Brien argued that the nation should invest in career paths that do not require a four‑year college degree and its associated debt.
Local Impact in Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County Public Schools, the seventh‑largest district in the United States with over 220,000 students, indicated that increased federal Perkins funding would enable modern equipment, work‑based learning opportunities, and industry‑recognized credentials for students pursuing high‑demand local careers.
Craig Brightup, executive director of the Jobs and Careers Coalition, warned that “while the need for a skilled workforce continues to grow, funding continues to lag.” He described the TRADES Act as a reasonable solution to the CTE funding shortfall.
Next Steps
The bill now moves through the Senate’s Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. If passed, it would represent a significant shift in how higher‑education wealth contributes to the nation’s vocational training infrastructure, potentially reshaping the career pathways for millions of American students.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
