Solis settling into Labor job

http://www.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_12668080

By Ryan Carter, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/22/2009 07:52:04 PM PDT

Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis got a job Monday - painting the side of a house in East L.A.

But it's those who don't have jobs these days who are weighing heavily on her mind.

Photo Gallery: Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis visits LA CAUSA

Related Article: Q&A with Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis

Solis, who once represented areas such as East L.A., West Covina and Monterey Park in Congress, has a much bigger role these days, helping to push the agenda of a president faced with bringing down unemployment rates not seen this high for decades.

It's a long way from the good old days, just a few years ago, when car and home sales were booming in El Monte and La Puente. And unemployment hovered around 5 percent in the county.

"It's very hard," she said. "Unemployment rates here are not the highest, but one of the highest. We have to do everything we can to make sure we can get Recovery (Act) money out as soon as possible."

That money - $787 billion worth - was supposed to create jobs and boost an ailing economy that has been sinking since December 2007.


U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis visits LA CAUSA YouthBuild program offices in East Los Angeles to speak June 22, 2009. (SGVN/Staff photo by Leo Jarzomb/SVCITY)


But it's trickling in, leaving many local officials wondering what's taking so long.

Solis said it's coming - and when it does, those who lost jobs in businesses like construction and related trades, will benefit from infrastructure projects touted by the administration.

In the meantime, in cities like El Monte, businesses are shutting doors and governments are laying off staff by the hundreds.

And that has Solis watching from D.C.

FULL story at link.