“It’s clear that growing public pressure forced Governor Pataki to finally see the light and release $25 million in funding for summer jobs for 35,000 low-income youths in New York. In Suffolk County, this money will mean that 400 teens will be employed this summer. To eliminate employment opportunities for teens when our schools are about to recess would have been another wrong choice that would have left many youths to struggle and stagnate.

“These programs don’t just provide a paycheck — they open doors to success for young men and women by teaching them vital skills. With the summer jobs program start date less than a month away, it’s encouraging to finally see the governor make the right choice and put our children first. This money will go a long way toward keeping teens off the streets and giving them the chance to experience the value of hard work.”