WITH JANUARY JOB LOSSES AT 35 YEAR HIGH, MENENDEZ AND LAUTENBERG ANNOUNCE UP TO $22 MILLION IN SERVICES FOR LAID OFF WORKERS IN TRI-STATE AREA

NJ Senators pushed for the funds, which will benefit workers laid off in NJ, NY and Conn. as a result of financial industry turmoil

Washington - U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) today announced that the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the New York State Department of Labor and the Connecticut Department of Labor have initially received $10.93 million - and will ultimately receive up to $22 million - for services for workers laid off in the tri-state area as a result of the financial industry collapse. These emergency funds, which the senators pushed for, are part of the U.S. Department of Labor's Workforce Investment Act and they come on a day when it was announced that 598,000 jobs were lost nationwide in January and the unemployment rate has reached 7.6%.

"In our region more than any other, the turmoil in the financial markets hits home and devastates a broad spectrum of families," said Senator Menendez. "So much of our regional economy is tied to the financial industry that the ripple effects create struggles for families in all walks of life. Today we learned that January was another brutal month, which is why we have to make sure workers who unexpectedly find themselves unemployed have access to resources that help them prepare for and find new employment. There is nothing more vital or significant to someone's economic well being than their job, and this funding can help promote job security."

"Unemployment is up, consumer confidence is at an all-time low and too many of our residents are losing their homes and their jobs. These funds will go a long way toward helping people who need it most by providing them with the services and training they need to get back to work. The economic recession is deepening and funds like these help provide needed security for many in our state and across the region," said Sen. Lautenberg.

The New Jersey Senators wrote then-Labor Secretary Elaine Chao to push for these funds: http://menendez.senate.gov/pdf/111408NEGsupportletter.pdf. They also wrote a separate letter to Secretary Chao in support of the funds together with the other tri-state senators.

These Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds will primarily be used to provide dislocated workers with services that may include skills assessment, individual career counseling, and occupational skills training.

# # #