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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: 202-219-6871
Funds To Help State Employment Security Agencies Fix Year 2000 Computer
Problem
Vice President Gore and Labor Secretary Alexis M. Herman today announced
that the U.S. Department of Labor is awarding $200 million in grants to the
states to address the Year 2000 computer problem. The funds were appropriated
by Congress to assist states in converting their automated State Employment
Security Agency systems to address computer problems that are associated with
the year 2000.
"These grants will provide much needed technology and support to states
to upgrade old computer systems so that they can meet the needs of America's
workforce in the next century," said Vice President Al Gore.
Secretary Herman said: "We are grateful that Congress fully funded this
important investment in our operating systems. We will be working closely with
states as they implement these crucial changes in order to provide assistance,
if necessary."
The funds include a base grant of $1 million to each of the 53 state and
territorial Employment Security Agencies, as well as an additional $107 million
in FY 98 and $40 million in FY 99 allocated on the basis of specific needs.
Given the federal-state partnership in operating the Employment Service and
Unemployment Insurance programs, the federal funds will supplement state monies
to be spent on addressing year 2000 problems on computer systems that support
critical employment security services.
The funds will be used to acquire new hardware, assist with code
renovations and address other systems problems. The grants are particularly
intended to assist states in ensuring that systems associated with the payment
of unemployment insurance benefits are year 2000 compliant.
Although states are responsible for meeting the deadline, regional Labor
Department offices and the department's Unemployment Insurance Service will
monitor states' conversion tasks, particularly with regard to mission-critical
systems.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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