JOBS, EDUCATION AND THE WORKFORCE COMMITTEE

SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT FUNDING

WHEREAS, The United States Conference of Mayors is dedicated to promoting the well-being and positive development of our nation’s youth; and

WHEREAS, the Conference is concerned about the drastic reductions in the number of youth who will benefit this year from youth employment and training services; and

WHEREAS, these reductions are attributable to both the lack of sufficient funding for youth programs and the current transition to the Workforce Investment Act; and

WHEREAS, there is an immediate concern in the resulting sharp reduction in the number of employment opportunities that will be available for youth across the nation this coming summer; and

WHEREAS, according to the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University, early work experience is a very powerful predictor of success and earnings in the labor market; and early work experience raises earning over a lifetime by 10-12 percent; and

WHEREAS, many businesses, facing severe labor shortages as well as job-experience and skills gaps, are seeking help to find and prepare qualified workers; and

WHEREAS, this persistent gap between the needs of business and the job experience and skills of the young threatens to stifle our nation’s economic growth and relegate a large segment of our youth population to margins of the economy and society,

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED , that The United States Conference of Mayors urges the United States Congress to include a $500 million Emergency Supplemental Appropriation in FY2000 funding for the Workforce Investment Act’s Youth Formula Program; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED , that The U.S. Conference of Mayors calls upon the Congress to resolve that Congress fully fund the President’s FY 2001 budget and increase youth funding in FY 2001; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED , that member mayors agree to work with their home state senators and representatives to obtain passage of this critical legislation.