Governor Baker's budget proposal includes a new initiative to create an Economic Opportunity Fund within the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund (line item 7002-1075). This Economic Opportunity Fund would support targeted employment and supportive services for populations with higher levels of unemployment and underemployment including African Americans, Latinos, persons with disabilities and Gulf-era II veterans.
Why is this important?
Thousands of people in our community work hard but are struggling financially because they cannot access jobs that pay a living wage. Unfortunately, many of the same people can't access workforce programs because of limited English or formal education. The new Fund would help close these gaps and ensure that everyone has a chance to find a decent job and build a career.
