Schumer urges funding for 1,000 summer jobs on LI
Sen. Charles Schumer detailed a bill Monday that would fund 1,000 summer jobs, some of them at public pools, during an appearance with North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman at the pool at Harbor Hills Park in Great Neck. (June 14, 2010) Credit: William Perlman
Sen. Charles Schumer said Monday that the Senate will vote on $1 billion in summer youth jobs funding this week as part of the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act.
"The odds are it will pass, but it's close," the New York Democrat said. The bill has 58 to 59 votes, he said, and supporters are seeking the 60 needed to pass. "It is hanging in the balance."
The measure would create as many as 250,000 summer jobs for those 24 and younger, who have been hit particularly hard by the poor economic climate. The youth unemployment rate is 21.5 percent, and the percentage of employed teens last year was the lowest in more than six decades -- 26 percent.
"Our kids have to break into the toughest job market in history," Schumer said during his announcement at Harbor Hills Park in Great Neck. "Kids who are dependent on summer jobs are high and dry."
The act, which the House passed two weeks ago, could bring $3.6 million to Long Island, according to the New York State Department of Labor.
The money would be divided among the three Workforce Investment Boards created by the 1998 Workforce Investment Act: Hempstead-City of Long Beach, Oyster Bay-North Hempstead-Glen Cove, and Suffolk County.
"There is no fear of fraud or abuse. The money goes right to the people," Schumer said. "It doesn't go through Albany. It goes directly, directly, directly to the town boards on Long Island."
The boards were set up to partner with localities to create work programs tailored to the region's needs. They would fund such jobs as community pool and beach lifeguards, public seasonal workers and camp program staffing.
If passed, the proposal would create more than 1,000 jobs for young adults on Long Island.
Schumer, who said he joined the workforce at age 14 by running a mimeograph machine, stressed the importance of youth employment. "It is not just about the money. It is a learning experience," he said. "It teaches kids the importance of hard work and what it means to earn a living. Work teaches values."
