Assembly Passes Bill Restoring Conservation Corps

The state assembly passed a bill re-establishing the Wisconsin Conservation Corps. The bill shifts $400,000 from other state agencies toward grants for organizations working on public works projects in natural resources or cultural heritage. The projects will be required to employ men and women between the ages of 16 and 25. A matching senate bill is already available for scheduling, authored by Sen. Rob Cowles. Evan Miller, legislative aide for Cowles, said the state’s low unemployment rate is a welcome challenge for the program. “These are often troubled youth that still are those unemployed people,” Miller said. “They have more qualifications when they exit this program. They’re going to have a better chance at finding gainful employment.”