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OPA News Release: [03/20/2002]
Contact Name: Sue
Hensley
Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces President Will Recommend
Reversal of Dislocated Worker Program Rescission
President’s
Supplemental Appropriations Proposal Will Provide
$750 Million for
Worker Assistance
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced
today that President George W. Bush’s supplemental appropriations proposal
will reverse a rescission of $110 million in dislocated worker program funds
that are currently being held by the states as well as provide $640 million in
new funds.
Chao has worked with the President over the past several weeks to ensure
that the rescinded funds were not reclaimed by the federal government, as
mandated by Public Law 107-20. In addition to being able to keep these funds,
the states will be able to apply for an additional $550 million in National
Emergency Grant funds to provide employment and training assistance to workers
in areas that are suffering from high unemployment.
“I have seen first-hand the good work states have been doing to
bring our country out of this recent recession, and I did not want that work to
stop—I wanted to build on the momentum,” said Chao. “The
President and I feel it is vital that America’s governors have continued
and expanded access to these funds for programs that are successfully
re-training and placing workers in great jobs.”
Another part of the President’s proposal will provide $50 million
for targeted high growth job training and $40 million for community adjustment
assistance. These programs will leverage community and private sector resources
to promote job creation and high demand job skills training.
Every state will benefit from being able to keep the funds that would
have been captured by the rescission. The State of California and the State of
New York are the two biggest beneficiaries, keeping over $23 million and over
$17 million, respectively.
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