Res. No. 866
Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to establish a Recovery and Opportunity Trust Fund to help train New York residents disproportionately impacted by chronic long-term unemployment factors.
By Council Members Cabrera, Dickens, James, Vann and Williams
Whereas, The Dubois Bunche Center for Public Policy has issued a policy plan (the "Thurgood Marshall Plan") which calls for lawmakers to create new localized systems for employment opportunities and business development within urban centers to address the negative impact of economic disparities that impact African American and Latino communities; and
Whereas, The current recession has had a severe effect on the United States' economy and an increase in the unemployment rate; and
Whereas, According to statistics provided by the New York State Department of Labor, New York City has an unemployment rate of 8.4 percent; and
Whereas, Additionally, New Yorkers of African descent have been disproportionately impacted in the City with an unemployment rate of 11.1 percent, in comparison to a rate of 5 percent for white New Yorkers; and
Whereas, The Bronx and Brooklyn are the boroughs with the largest proportions African American and Latino residents and have unemployment rates of 11.7 percent and 9.1 percent, respectively; and
Whereas, A component of the Thurgood Marshall Plan calls for the establishment of a Recovery and Opportunity Trust Fund modeled after the Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund; and
Whereas, The Recovery and Opportunity Trust Fund should finance job training for residents living within neighborhoods plagued with high rates of long-term chronic unemployment; and
Whereas, Proponents believe the Recovery and Opportunity Trust Fund should also subsidize pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship training that is linked to energy conservation, renewable energy, the rebuilding of core infrastructure, and the installation of broadband telecommunications networks throughout the City; and
Whereas, Lawmakers should develop policies that acknowledge disparities in urban neighborhoods, that identify those with high rates of chronic unemployment and that promote outcomes that advance equity and stability in job opportunities; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to establish a Recovery and Opportunity Trust Fund to help train New York residents disproportionately impacted by chronic long-term unemployment factors.
FCC
LS # 2375
05/23/11
Res. No. 2146-2009