Labor Secretary Hilda Solis criticized U.S. Senate Republicans for killing a jobless benefits bill and announced $75 million in federal job-training funds during a Denver appearance Friday.
Solis said the Republicans’ refusal to allow a vote on a measure to extend the benefits could deprive 1 million Americans of unemployment payments they’re currently receiving.
The move also could push the U.S. economy into a deeper recession, Solis said while addressing a conference of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials in Denver.
On Thursday, a Senate vote of 57-41 fell three votes short of the 60 required to stop a GOP filibuster. The bill would have extended jobless benefits to people unemployed more than six months and offered $16 billion in new federal aid to states.
Separately, Solis said the job-training program receiving an additional $75 million in federal stimulus money is designed to help the unemployed get new jobs and simultaneously receive training to advance their careers.
The funding “will help dislocated workers across the country learn while they earn,” Solis said. “For most, that will mean not just employment, but also the chance to receive training that allows them to upgrade their skills.”
Colorado will receive $1.14 million from the federal allocation.
Joel Davis, managing director of Centennial-based Internet marketing firm YellowBox, said the training program has changed his previously skeptical thinking about federal jobs funding.
“It’s working,” Davis said of the training program that has helped his firm expand from two workers to five in recent months. He has received $6,000 per employee hired for salary and training expenses.
“It’s the only government program I’ve seen that really works,” Davis said.
Steve Raabe: 303-954-1948 or sraabe@denverpost.com
