National Urban League On Jobs Bill: "Good Politics, Bad Policy"

New York (Feb. 24, 2010) – National  Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial panned the jobs bill that passed the Senate today as "timid."

"This bill simply does not go far enough," Morial said. "It's a tiny step when what we need is a giant leap."

 Morial earlier this month met with President Barack Obama, asking for specific provisions to address job training, minority contractors, youth employment and aid to public employers to be included in the jobs legislation.

 "Regretfully, it appears that Congressional leaders prefer to be timid instead of tough," Morial said. "Rather than appease those who would obstruct reform, we should challenge them to place their votes on the record. The many solutions to the jobs crisis that have been proposed deserve an up-or-down vote. Instead, they've been pushed aside so more can come to agreement on less of a solution.

 "Even if the bill saves or creates the proposed 1.3 million jobs, there is still a lot more work to be done," Morial said"

Morial called for the following provisions be included in future legislation:

• Job training programs for low-income underemployed and unemployed individuals, particularly those holding   a high school diploma or less.
• Inclusion of  minority contractors for transportation projects funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
• Investment of at least $5 billion in Summer Youth Employment programs.

For more information about the National Urban League’s Six-Point Jobs Plan, visit www.nul.org

Contact: Teresa Candori

             (646) 319-0891

             tcandori@nul.org

About the National Urban League
The National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment in order to elevate the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities. Founded in 1910 and headquartered in New York City, the National Urban League spearheads the efforts of its local affiliates through the development of programs, public policy research and advocacy. Today, there are more than 100 local affiliates in 36 states and the District of Columbia, providing direct services that impact and improve the lives of more than 2 million people nationwide.