Put 1 million Americans back to work with community public service jobs

April 27, 2020

During the 2020 pandemic-driven economic disaster, the next rounds of stimulus spending from Washington should fund one million community service jobs. Direct job creation programs must be added to the already authorized — and essential — business assistance and unemployment insurance enhancements. Creating one million, time-limited, community service employment jobs could be capped at an annual compensation of $40,000. The return on investment is worth the $40 billion price tag. Not only will it offer meaningful work for idle Americans who will otherwise face long odds for returning to the private sector, but it will also provide vital services in the nation’s towns and cities.

Opinion by Carl Van Horn, The Hill, April 27, 2020

Recent Posts

Geisha D. Ester Appointed Executive Director of NTI

The National Transit Institute, part of the Bloustein School’s Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center, has appointed Geisha D. Ester as its new Executive Director.  Ester brings more than 27 years of transit industry experience and 18 years of leadership in workforce...

The Political Machine Won’t Decide NJ’s Next Governor

County bosses were stripped of the power to rig statewide elections. Now there’s no clear favorite in a state where Republicans are rising. The outcome of New Jersey’s June 10 gubernatorial primary is anyone’s guess. With no clear front-runner, the elimination of...

Tariff Uncertainty and its Impact on Economic Forecasting

R/ECON’s next economic forecast is slated for release in mid-summer, followed by another forecast in the fall. As we track the latest state data and national outlook, we (much like everyone else) have been closely following the news on tariffs, the Fed’s potential...

Heldrich Center: Using Data to Help Bolster Workforce Initiatives

The John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development provides research expertise and analysis to organizations, including the Fed, to help improve education, training, and workforce development programs that affect employers and employees. By Jennie Blizzard, Fed...

NJSPL Announces 2025 Summer Interns

The New Jersey State Policy Lab is excited to announce that the fourth annual summer internship program has begun at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. Six students have been selected to participate in this year’s program, which will encompass ten...