Teens And Families: Are You Worried About A Summer Job Shortage?

Summer jobs for youth might be in short supply this year.

Last year Massachusetts' budget included $9 million set aside for summer jobs, but this year the budget proposed only sets aside $6.9 million, according to an article on NECN.com.  

The $2.1 million dollar difference between this year and last year comes primarily from "federal anti-crime funding" dollars that Governor Patrick was able to allocate to summer jobs last year.  

Members of the Youth Jobs Coalition protested the budget shortfall yesterday at the House, and although "Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino applauded the group’s advocacy," he "noted that he’s concerned the state funding may not be approved and ready until early July, by which time it could be too late to help enough youth get jobs this summer."

Mayor Menino and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce are "pushing businesses to step up hiring of young people for the summer" but do you think that will be enough to combat the shortfall?  Are you worried you (or your teenager) might not be able to find a job?  

Leave a comment letting us know whether you've got a summer job lined up, if you've been looking for one, or what your take is on the summer job market. And if your an organization looking for summer employees, let us know.