Hoyer, Brown Discuss Local Impact of Economic Recovery with Area Mayors
"Our mayors and town officials are the frontline of government, the individuals our shared constituents turn to first, and the men and women who are faced with the realities brought by this recession every day," said Congressman Hoyer. "With a declining tax base and a state that is confronting a $2 billion shortfall, municipalities have found themselves in an increasingly difficult position. On Wednesday, the House of Representatives took strong action to help blunt the pain, put people back to work in our state and in our country, and lift our economy out of this recession."
"Over the past two years, we've done our best to ramp up valuable support from the State level to those programs and services that matter more to the communities that make up our One Maryland, including public education, school construction, and public safety," said Governor O'Malley. "It is our responsibility as Marylanders to use these federal stimulus dollars responsibly in a way that creates jobs in our communities, stimulates our State's economy, and leaves a legacy of progress in the form of infrastructure for those future generations from whom we borrow."
Later that day, Congressman Hoyer, Governor O'Malley, Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (D-MD), and Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson, along with higher education leaders from the area's colleges and universities, attended a briefing in Largo on the local workforce crisis and the potential for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to create short- and long-term job opportunities in Maryland. The briefing was given by the Workforce Investment Network for Maryland (more information below). Altogether, it has been estimated that approximately 3.6 million jobs will be created nationwide, including 99,200 in the State of Maryland.
Overall, the economic recovery plan contains what is widely viewed as the right mix of government investment and tax cuts to create jobs and spur the economy. It will include tax relief for 95% of working families; tax cuts for job-creating small businesses; projects to put Americans to work renewing our crumbling roads and bridges; and nutrition, unemployment, and healthcare assistance to those families who are being hit hardest by this recession.
In addition, there are a number of provisions that focus on creating opportunities to improve our workforce and address the needs of those currently unemployed, including 5.8 percent of the working population in the State of Maryland - the highest level in 15 years. Those include:
- $4 billion for Training and Employment Service Grants for adult, dislocated worker, and youth services, including $1.2 billion to create up to one million summer jobs for youth. The needs of workers also will be met through dislocated worker national emergency grants, new competitive grants for worker training in high growth and emerging industry sectors (with priority consideration to "green" jobs and healthcare), and increased funds for the YouthBuild program.
- $500 million for Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants to help persons with disabilities prepare for gainful employment.
- $500 million for Employment Services Grants to match unemployed individuals to job openings through state employment service agencies and allow states to provide customized services.
"The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will provide much needed economic recovery for the state of Maryland and our nation," said Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards. "This legislation will help save or create nearly 100,000 jobs in Maryland, begin the transformation to clean energy, spur long-term growth, and ensure that we are prepared for a 21st Century economy by investing in infrastructure, innovation and education. This legislation will also enable our local, small, minority, women and veteran-owned businesses to participate fully in our economic recovery. When these businesses prosper, we all prosper. I commend the Workforce Investment Network of Maryland for their dedication on behalf of working families across our state. I am proud to stand with Majority Leader Hoyer, Governor O'Malley, and Prince George's County Executive Johnson, as our Maryland Delegation continues to work together, at all levels, to help bring Maryland and the country out of this economic recession."
Background on the Workforce Investment Network for Maryland
The Workforce Investment Network for Maryland (WIN) is a coalition of the directors of Maryland's twelve local workforce investment agencies. Together, they help create a strong workforce by connecting skilled workers with business that need qualified employees. WIN has 34 one-stop shops throughout the state. One-Stop Career Centers identify and recruit local job seekers, assess individuals' skills, prioritize job candidates based on their employment readiness and work experience, craft job-specific training programs, match applicants to these training opportunities, and connect qualified people to jobs.
Although independent, WIN works closely with the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation and the Governor's Workforce Investment Board to support a locally-driven, yet comprehensive workforce investment system.