OFFICE OF REPRESENTATIVE ANTHONY D. WEINER
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
June 24, 2008
John Collins, 917-496-4587
Rep. Weiner Fights for Federal Funding for Queens Summer Jobs
Representative Anthony D. Weiner (D – Brooklyn and Queens), co-chair of the Bipartisan Congressional Caucus on the Middle Class, released a study on Sunday which found a 50% cut in federal funding to the Summer Youth Employment Program over the past 5 years. At the same time as these cuts, summer job applications are at their highest level ever. Rep. Weiner will introduce legislation to double funding to $6 Billion a Year.
Full report...
New York City – Federal funding for summer jobs in New York City has been slashed in half over the past five years, according to new analysis released today by Representative Anthony D. Weiner, a chair of the Bipartisan Congressional Caucus on the Middle Class. Weiner's study found that the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) only received $3.8 million in federal funding in 2007. That is nearly a 50% cut from the 2003 federal funding level of $8 million. SYEP saw 20,000 more applications in 2007 than 2006, but it was only able to enroll 150 more participants that year.
Overall, federal funding for Workforce Investment Act (WIA) youth development programs in New York City have been slashed by 35%, or $14 million in funding from 2002 to 2008. New York City has over 200,000 youth between 16 and 24 years old who are either not in school, not working, or not connected to any government support program.
WIA is a federal initiative to train workers to enter or re-enter the job market. As more and more middle class and entry-level workers lose their jobs, the need for skill development and training has become critical. The City's six federally-funded WIA career centers provide aspiring workers job training skills, help develop resumes and workplace skills, as well as help identifying and applying for local available jobs.
A broader look at WIA funding cuts found that overall funding has been cut by 30% over the last five years – a total of $30 million from 2002 to 2008. Cuts to City programs are three times national cuts. The study also found that:
- In 2008, WIA was cut by nearly 15% – the second largest cut over the five-year period;
- Funding for job training in New York City has been cut by three times the average cuts to national funding – 31% cuts to the City programs compared to 10% nationally;
- WIA cuts forced the City to close a Career Center and reduce the adult and dislocated worker allocation by about $20 million, a 34% cut of the budget;
- In 2006, nearly 190,000 New York City workers utilized programs at the WIA Centers, including more than 10,000 14 to 21 year olds; and
- New York State has fared much better than the City – with cuts totaling only 13%.
Rep. Weiner announced new legislation to boost WIA funding to $6 billion a year – more than double the $2.95 billion allocated in 2008.
Rep. Weiner said, "The Federal government is giving away billions in tax breaks to big oil companies, but is unwilling to invest in people or our children. Aspiring workers are doing their part. It's time the Federal government did theirs.
