Mason Proposes Conservation Corps to Help Create Jobs

Whether or not the economy is truly improving seems to be dependent on how things are with individual residents. One thing we can all agree on, however, is the continued need for jobs.

The unemployment rate for young people age 16-19 was 24 percent in January; for young women age 20 it was almost 8 percent and for young men it was 8.7 percent during the same time period. For young people of color, the numbers are higher.

Rep. Cory Mason (D-Racine) would like the Wisconsin Conversation Corps to spring back to life. He and Rep. Fred Clark (D-Baraboo) have introduced Assembly Bill 616 to bring back the WCC to help increase employment and training among young adults ages 18 to 24, develop needed leaders of the future, and increase awareness of the need for environmental conservation.

Here is the full release from Mason's office:

State Representative Cory Mason (D-Racine) testified before the Assembly Natural Resources Committee in support of Assembly Bill 616, which would recreate the Wisconsin Conservation Corps. Rep. Mason is one of the lead authors of AB 616.

“In these tough economic times, reestablishing the Wisconsin Conservation Corps is more important than ever,” said Rep. Mason. “The WCC will offer experience and opportunity to Wisconsin’s young people who are struggling right now to find meaningful work and pay for higher education.”

The Wisconsin Conservation Corps existed from 1983-2003, when it ceased operations. Under AB 616, participants in the recreated WCC will conduct conservation projects throughout the state, and receive a stipend and educational credit.

“Young adults ages 18-24 have been particularly hard hit by our unemployment crisis,” continued Rep. Mason. “Recreating the WCC will provide some of our state’s young people with job skills, educational opportunities, and meaningful work experience. Communities will benefit as well from the conservation projects WCC participants will conduct. It’s a win-win for Wisconsin.”

Rep. Mason cited a recent Pew Research Center study (http://pewresearch.org/pubs/2191/young-adults-workers-labor-market-pay-careers-advancement-recession) which found that employment among Americans ages 18-24 is at its lowest level in 60 years, since the government began tracking this data in 1948.

“The WCC will offer hope and opportunity to Wisconsin’s young adults. I hope that my colleagues in the Legislature will act quickly to advance this bill before our legislative session ends next week,” Rep. Mason concluded.