Requesting that members of the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation support continued funding for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families fund which supports the "Way to Work" jobs program scheduled to end on September 30, 2010.

WHEREAS

, Way to Work Philadelphia is a collaboration between the City of Philadelphia and workforce development partners to provide a pathway to employment for Philadelphia residents who are currently looking for work in a difficult economy; and

WHEREAS

, The initiative subsidizes 100 percent of the gross employee wage for employees hired through Way to Work Philadelphia. Employers include for-profit, not-for-profit and public sector organizations; and

WHEREAS

, Way To Work Philadelphia will reimburse employers up to $13 per hour. The employer is expected to cover any wage amounts in excess of $13/hr plus all supplemental employment costs; and

WHEREAS

, According to a September 3, 2010 Daily News article, across the nation, the Way to Work jobs program employs over 240,000 Americans, over 12,000 Philadelphia adults and youth specifically 3,100 adults who would be greatly effected by the discontinuance of the funds; and

WHEREAS

, In order for programs like Way to Work Pennsylvania to continue providing jobs to the unemployed past September 30, 2010, the U.S. Congress must enact legislation authorizing an extension of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Emergency Fund. Ideally an extension would also add $2.5 billion to the fund, as the initial $5 billion has already been allocated; and

WHEREAS

, The Senate must pass an extension of the TANF Emergency Fund as part of the "Extenders Bill" or any other legislative vehicle that will be passed by the Senate prior to September 30; and

WHEREAS

, Senators Casey and Specter should sign on to Senator Kerry's letter calling on the Senate leadership to pass an extension of the TANF Emergency Fund. We also urge them to approach Senate leadership personally to convey that passing the extension is crucial for Americans without jobs during this time of unprecedented high unemployment; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,

The Philadelphia City Council hereby requests that members of the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation support continued funding for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families fund which supports the “Way to Work” jobs program scheduled to end on September 30, 2010.

End