Late last week Rep. Phil Hare (D-IL), along with 50 co-sponsors, introduced H.R. 4290, the "New Deal for a New Economy Act". The bill is a measure to put Americans back to work by implementing a three year, $180 billion job creation and retention program, funded by unused monies from the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). The legislation takes a three tiered approach. First, it calls for the establishment of a $31 billion per year public works and public interest grant program administered by the Department of Labor (DOL), similar to President Franklin Roosevelt's Works Progress Administration. Next, it would distribute $20 billion per year in direct aid to state and local governments to retain current workforce and make new hires. Finally, $9 billion per year would be spent on renovations to National Parks and Forests, similar to the Conservation Corps program of the 1970's. For more on the bill, you can visit Rep. Hare's website. You can find the text of the legislation on The Corps Network website.
In an article describing excellent “gap year” options for students between high school and college, reporter Rebecca Kern profiled Conservation Corps as a way for young people to continue learning, develop job skills and make a difference. The Corps Network's President & CEO Sally Prouty is quoted
The Clean Energy Service Corps. In the past few years, America has experienced tremendous excitement about the potential of
Once a wildly undisciplined youth, William Brandt’s lack of direction was aggravated by substance abuse and a defensive, angry attitude. He got into trouble with the law.