Governor Rell Asks for Quick Action

on Stimulus-Backed Summer Jobs Program

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today asked the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to speedily pass legislation appropriating more than $11 million to the state Department of Labor for a summer youth employment program to be funded through the federal stimulus package.

            In her letter, which was also sent to the co-Chairs of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee, the Governor said an appropriation of $11,034,723 is needed for the Summer Youth Employment program. The program is funded through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, but legislative action is still needed to make the appropriation to the state Department of Labor.

            “This is a program that can provide jobs for 4,500 young people between the ages of 14 and 24 from across Connecticut,” Governor Rell said. “Summer jobs are not always easy to come by and in this economy they are truly a precious commodity. Thanks to the stimulus package we have a chance to give hundreds of young people an opportunity to spend their summer earning a paycheck – money that will, in turn, boost our economy.

            “The Department of Labor has already been working with the state’s five Workforce Investment Boards to identify eligible youths,” the Governor said. “Now we need to move quickly to make the necessary appropriations so DOL can get the program up and running before the school year ends in mid-June. I urge lawmakers to act swiftly.”