02/28/2023
February 23, 2023 Labor and Public Employees Committee HB 6279
Public Hearing Testimony of
Danté Bartolomeo
Commissioner
Department of Labor
Labor and Public Employees Committee
February 23, 2023
Good morning, Representative Sanchez, Senator Kushner, Representative Ackert, Senator Sampson, Representative Wilson, Senator Cabrera, and members of the Labor and Public Employees Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to provide you with written testimony regarding HB 6279: AN ACT CONCERNING REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF THE LABOR DEPARTMENT AND THE UNEMPLOYED ARMED FORCES MEMBER SUBSIDIZED TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM. My name is Danté Bartolomeo, and I am the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Labor.
The Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) understands that the intent of HB 6279 is to update funding and the Labor Departments' reporting requirements for the Unemployed Armed Forces Member Subsidized Training and Employment Program (Armed Forces STEP UP). Armed Forces STEP UP was originally established as a recessionary program designed to mitigate hiring expenses for employers, thereby enticing them to hire unemployed individuals and in this instance, veterans. Currently, CTDOL administers several programs that are funded to assist veterans with return-to-work assistance which include, but not limited to: Jobs for Veterans State Grants – operated by CTDOL Veteran staff, Platform to Employment (P2E), and the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC).
It is CTDOL’s view that the programs we currently administer are sufficient to achieve this goal and, therefore, we do not believe it is prudent to replenish the bond funds for Armed Forces STEP UP.
Thank you again for the opportunity to testify, and we look forward to continuing to work with you on supporting veterans as they return to work.
Connecticut Department of Labor • www.ct.gov/dol
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