Mayor de Blasio Unveils Jobs Task Force

New York City Mayor de Blasio announced the creation of a new employment task force today.

The task force, called Jobs for New Yorkers, hopes to improve the city's vast network of job training and placement programs. The mayor says it will use advice from participating employers to create better job training programs, and improve existing ones. Mayor De Blasio said the task force will find ways to more effectively spend the city's money.

"Half a billion dollars of investment goes a long way. In the right hands, with their leadership, we're going to orient that money much more effectively, and the taxpayer's going to get their money's worth," the mayor said.

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams applauds the mayor's plan, and says an overhaul of the system is long overdue.

"We have used a rotary phone concept in a smartphone age," said Adams.

Mayor De Blasio said he wants the new task force to focus on creating jobs that are above the minimum wage. He said the task force is a part of his larger goal of making New York City more affordable.

The task force consists of business and labor leaders, and representatives from non-profit organizations. The group plans to deliver a report to the mayor with policy recommendations in the fall.