WILMINGTON, Del., May 21 (UPI) -- Two Delaware lawmakers want more money for a state program funding summer jobs for youngsters from poor families, The Wlmington News-Journal said Friday.
Sen. Margaret Rose Henry, D-Wilmington East, and Rep. Dennis P. Williams, D-Wilmington North, have asked the Delaware Legislature's Joint Finance Committee to increase by $100,000 the funds for Wilmington's share of the state's summer youth employment program.
Sen. Nancy Cook, D-Kenton, and Rep. Joe Di Pinto, R-Wilmington West, said the committee would leave the program's funding at the level requested by Democrat Gov. Ruth Ann Minner but that the proposal would get a second look before the budget was sent to the General Assembly for a vote.
Under the program, local governments and community agencies submit requests to the Delaware Labor Department outlining how many young people they need and what work they would do. To qualify, applicants must be 14 to 21 years old with preference given to those whose family earnings are no more than 200 percent of the federal poverty line, about $37,700 for a family of four.
