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Home > Jobs and the Economy |
Don Knabe. Working for you. |
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TOP STORY - FEBRUARY 8, 2010
Renew A Federal Stimulus Program That's Creating Local Jobs Now |
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By Don Knabe & Gavin Newsom
Despite hopeful signs that the worst of our nation's economic crisis is behind us, unemployment rates across the nation remain stubbornly high.
In California, December payrolls were down another 40,000 jobs and
at 12.4%, our joblessness rate remains among the highest in the
country.
For the millions of
Californians who seek the dignity of work and pride of a paycheck, a
jobless economic recovery is no recovery at all. As local elected
leaders, we see the human face of this lingering recession every day
- the families and small business owners struggling to make ends
meet.
That's why we're heartened by the renewed focus demonstrated by
President Obama and Congressional leaders from both parties in
Washington on helping local communities and our small and
medium-sized businesses create jobs. There's been much discussion
lately about how many jobs have actually been created since last
year's passage of the $787 billion stimulus package. And in his
State of the Union speech recently, President Obama called on
Congress to pass a new federal jobs bill to help put people back to
work. The new jobs bill is an enormous opportunity for lawmakers to
give a boost to a little-noticed program from last year's federal
stimulus package that Los Angeles and San Francisco Counties are
using right now to create thousands of private, nonprofit and public
sector jobs.
The 2009 American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) set aside $5
billion nationwide - and $1.8 billion for California alone - to
create what is called the "Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Emergency Contingency Fund (TANF-ECF)." That's federal stimulus
jargon for a work-subsidy program that provides federal funds to pay
80% of the wages for unemployed workers with a dependent child,
including subsidizing wages for private sector and non-profit
employers. By combining this program with funding for youth
employment, Los Angeles County has already placed more than 10,000
County residents in jobs. In San Francisco, we call the program
JobsNow, and we've put more than 1,650 people back to work for more
than 800 local companies and nonprofit organizations.
Sound too good to be true? Thousands of people now working under
this program in San Francisco and Los Angeles Counties and other
California counties prove otherwise. As a result of this federal
stimulus funding, thousands of Californians who would otherwise join
the unemployment rolls are supporting their families and local
businesses are continuing to thrive.
The JobsNow Program in San Francisco and the 10,000 Jobs Program in
Los Angeles County are exactly in line with the Obama Administration
and Congressional leaders of both parties' priorities when it comes
to incentivizing job creation. But our success locally in putting
people back to work could come to a screeching halt - and throw
thousands out of work again - when the program expires this year on
September 30.
Amidst a jobless recovery, it simply makes no sense to end this
program.
Fortunately, in his proposed Fiscal Year 2011 budget, President
Obama is supporting an extension of the program for one year, to
September 30, 2011. California's own Senators Barbara Boxer and
Dianne Feinstein are also supporting amendments to extend the
program in the federal jobs bill. Representatives Judy Chu and Pete
Stark are sponsoring a similar proposal in the House of
Representatives.
California is America's largest economy. Economic recovery and job
creation here will help drive economic and job growth across the
country. We strongly urge Congress to include an extension for this
program in the new federal jobs bill. Let's continue a federal
stimulus program that's working exactly as it was intended - putting
thousands of people back to work now.
Don Knabe is a Republican Los Angeles County Supervisor
Gavin Newsom is the Democratic Mayor of San Francisco
Useful Links
 2010
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Los Angeles County has reached a major milestone in job creation. The County’s goal to create 10,000 temporary jobs locally has been achieved, but was also exceeded. Over 10,000 men, women, and young adults have been hired into jobs created by the program. On March 3, 2009, Supervisor Knabe introduced the 10,000 Jobs Program, which utilizes almost $200 million in federal stimulus funding to create temporary subsidized employment opportunities in County departments, private sector employers, non-profit organizations, and in cities across Los Angeles County for CalWORKs welfare recipients. |
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Don Knabe. Working for you. Jobs and the Economy
Accomplishments |
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Working to Create More Than 10,000 Local Jobs
 Los Angeles County has reached a major milestone in job creation. The County’s goal to create 10,000 temporary jobs locally has been achieved, but was also exceeded. Over 10,000 men, women, and young adults have been hired into jobs created by the program. On March 3, 2009, Supervisor Knabe introduced the 10,000 Jobs Program, which utilizes almost $200 million in federal stimulus funding to create temporary subsidized employment opportunities in County departments, private sector employers, non-profit organizations, and in cities across Los Angeles County for CalWORKs welfare recipients.
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Providing Funding for Support Future Automotive Partnership Building at Cerritos College
Supervisor Don Knabe presented a check for $100,000 to Cerritos College. The funds will support the automotive partnership building, Southland Cerritos Center for Transportation Technologies, which is scheduled for completion in February 2010. The new $6 million automotive partners building will be a unique facility serving the college and its private/industry partners.
Speaking Out Against State Cuts to CalWORKS
Supervisor Knabe announced that a program designed to create 10,000 temporary jobs across Los Angles County using President Obama’s stimulus funding is now at risk because of a State proposal to eliminate the CalWORKs welfare program. Supervisor Don Knabe introduced the program, which would utilize over $159 million in federal stimulus funding to create temporary subsidized employment opportunities for CalWORKs welfare recipients in County departments, private sector employers, non-profit organizations, and in cities across Los Angeles County.
Opposing Suspension of C-17 Program
Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Los Angles County Board of Supervisors, denounced a decision by Defense Secretary Robert Gates to end purchases of the C-17 cargo aircraft after 2010. Knabe called on his colleagues on the Board of Supervisors to oppose the suspension of the C-17 program by introducing a formal motion of opposition.
Supporting Small Businesses
Supervisor Don Knabe announced that Los Angeles County supported local small businesses with over $100 million in contract awards in the past year. Nearly $107 million in Los Angeles County government contracts were awarded to locally-owned small businesses. The contract funding was distributed in over 13,500 separate contracts to 400 different small businesses.
Seeking to Create Thousands of Local Jobs
Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, is seeking to create as many as 10,000 temporary jobs in Los Angeles County thanks to funding available in the Federal Stimulus Package. Knabe introduced legislation that would utilize over $100 million in federal funding to create subsidized employment opportunities in County departments, private sector employers, non-profit organizations, and in cities across Los Angeles County.
Reaching Contract Agreement with Union Partners
Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, announced a major agreement regarding recent negotiations with the public safety unions representing over 17,000 County employees. Under the agreement, all six of the County’s public safety bargaining units, plus two other justice-related unions, have agreed to a one-year, no change extension of their current contracts. The extensions include no cost-of-living increases or salary increases for the next year. |
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Successful Job Program for Veterans
A County program introduced by Supervisor Don Knabe and Supervisor Mike Antonovich to assist veterans with employment opportunities is seeing tremendous success. The program is available to local military veterans who have been honorably discharged, the County recruits applicants whose training, education and skills match those needed by the County. Successful applicants are hired as trainees for up to 24 months and receive job training and experience. They receive benefits and are eligible to compete for permanent County positions.
Funding Youth Jobs throughout the County
After Los Angeles County allocated $6.5 million to create jobs for the local youth, the investment has yielded 3,436 jobs Countywide, with 499 jobs in the Fourth District alone. The motion, introduced by Supervisors Don Knabe and Zev Yaroslavsky during the County’s budget hearings, was unanimously approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. |
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Creating New Jobs in the South Bay
Supervisor Knabe recently committed $150,000 to finance a new session of the Energy Pathways project, a program that trains and connects individuals with high-paying jobs at oil refineries in the South Bay.
Developing Job Opportunities for Veterans
The County of Los Angeles plans to assist local military veterans with employment opportunities under a plan developed by Supervisors Don Knabe and Michael D. Antonovich. The program, approved by the Board of Supervisors, directs County departments to begin internship programs for Veterans including employment outreach, new hiring protocols and education opportunities |
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Developing Jobs for Military Veterans
The County of Los Angeles is assisting local military veterans with employment opportunities under a plan developed by Supervisors Knabe and Michael D. Antonovich. As part of this effort to provide Veterans with employment opportunities, the County will develop training classes appropriate for Veterans, modify job classifications where needed, and give work experience credit where appropriate for previous military service and training.
Creating High-Paying Career Opportunities
Supervisor Knabe helped implement the innovative Career Pathways Program, a new employment pilot project designed to provide scientific training and high-income job opportunities for foster youth, dislocated workers and disadvantaged adults. Program participants received free college-level training in basic skills and industry-specific training, as well as free supportive services such as child care and employment counseling. When participants successfully complete the training, they will be given preferential priority to a job at corporate sites like ConocoPhillips, BP, Valero and Exxon-Mobil. Over 50 residents from South Bay communities have already completed the program, resulting in high-paying jobs at local refineries.
Providing Job Skills and Training for Public Housing Residents
2006 marked the 10th Anniversary of The Growing Experience Program at the Carmelitos Housing Project in Long Beach. The goal of the program is to train public housing residents in the landscape industry and to empower them with useful job skills, and it has succeeded in both. In partnership with the University of California Cooperative Extension, over 138 public housing residents have participated in the training program, enabling them to develop employable skills in landscaping.
Fighting for the Boeing C-17
Supervisor Knabe currently serves as part of the C-17 “Red Team,” a group of local, state and federal elected leaders that are fighting for the continued production of the Boeing C-17 Military Transport Aircraft at its Long Beach Airport Factory.
Managing Air Traffic Growth in Southern California
Supervisor Knabe led a successful effort to re-launch the Southern California Regional Airport Authority (SCRAA) with the goal of addressing future air traffic growth on a regional, multi-county and multi-city approach. SCRAA brings together key stakeholders to integrate individual and sometimes conflicting needs to ultimately initiate a system of complementary airports that meet the aviation needs of Southern California.
Funding Summer Jobs for Youth
When other funding sources became unavailable, Supervisor Knabe worked with Supervisor Yaroslavsky to provide County funds to sustain the program. The Youth Jobs program is a partnership of cities, Workforce Investment Boards and community agencies that work together to help at-risk kids across the County learn and practice the skills needed to succeed in life, through summer jobs, internships and training. As a result, over 4,000 youth County-wide were served this past summer. |
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$100,000 lead donation from Supervisor Knabe helps fund advocacy efforts to keep Los Angeles Air Force Base off the Department of Defense closure list. The El Segundo facility manages some $60 billion in defense contracts and employees over 4,500 workers. Another 125,000 jobs across California are tied to Los Angeles Air Force Base.
Various government agencies, including Los Angeles County, settle a lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles to will ensure future growth constraints at Los Angeles International Airport.
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Supervisor Knabe championed the community attempt to block the unnecessary split of the 310 area code by the California Public Utilities Commission into a separate 310/424 area code overlay. |
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Five local employers honored by Supervisor Knabe for their commitment to provide employment opportunities to County residents transitioning off of welfare. At the time, the five companies had hired over 700 employees through the program, which came about as part of the welfare reform initiatives of 1996 that Supervisor Knabe helped implement. |
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$650,000 Community Development Commission loan made by Supervisor Knabe to the La Mirada Volunteer Center, which provides employment outreach and job training services to area residents.
Legislation by Supervisor Knabe allows County department new flexibility in hiring contract or temporary employees to fill new government jobs. This effort allows the County greater flexibility in filling tough-to-recruit positions. |
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