January 29, 2014
State Representative Mary Mushinsky, House Chair of the Program Review and Investigations Committee (PRI), hailed Governor Malloy's announcement to ask the legislature to back important programs for the long-term unemployed as they convene the 2014 session.
The initiatives endorsed by Governor Malloy, which will be included in the budget package when session begins February 5, stem from a list of recommendations released last month by the PRI Committee that thoroughly addressed this issue, including the struggles of older, unemployed workers.
"I am delighted and grateful to the governor for his commitment to helping this segment of unemployed workers who face daily challenges in their quest to getting back in the workplace," Rep. Mushinsky said.
One of the measures, Platform to Employment, or P2E, is an intensive program for the long-term unemployed that provides five weeks of psychological counseling, classroom instruction and other benefits. It will be open to individuals who have exhausted their unemployment benefits.
In addition, the plan includes expansion of the already in place Step Up program, adding $10 million in bonding to continue its implementation.
The governor also endorsed the PRI Committee's recommendation that the state prohibit discrimination against unemployed workers in employment advertising. "We want to ban the demeaning practice of 'no unemployed need apply," Mushinsky said.
"Our committee is dedicated to working hard to address this issue and finding solutions to help the unemployed. I am glad our governor is on board," added Mushinsky.