South Queens, New York – Today, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-South Queens), sent a letter to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio urging him to modernize and reform the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) for the 2020 season.

“This program should be treated as an essential program in the city budget,” Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato said. “We should not penalize students who are trying to gain life skills, develop as professionals, and put a little money in their pockets. Instead of cutting this program, we should be modernizing it to meet the moment that we’re in. There are businesses in this city still operating, and could employ workers that are subsidized by the city and state government now more than ever. If regular employees are able to work from home and remotely, we should allow SYEP students to as well.”