Gas-card plan shortsighted

State government is setting aside $250,000 to give unemployed job seekers gas cards.

Thirty-four rural counties, including Fulton, Montgomery and Hamilton, are participating in this initiative. The money comes from federal funds allocated to New York state under the Workforce Investment Act.

The cards are intended to help the unemployed with transportation expenses as they look for work, go to job interviews, or use employment services available at their local career centers. The value of a card will vary by area but is expected to be from $25 to $50 each. Cards will be available from now until either June 30 or when the money runs out.

Granted, unemployment numbers are at the highest levels we've seen in years, but we have to wonder whether handing out gas cards is the best use of government money.

We suspect some people won't actually use the gas money to get to and from job appointments. For the most part, the $250,000 comes down to a gift for the unemployed.

Perhaps a better use of the money would be job-training programs for the jobless. At least, then, we could see where the money's going.

In a news release regarding the program, Gov. Paterson said, "Every bit of extra help is important to unemployed New Yorkers in these tough times. These gas cards are a way to get real money directly to those in need - hard-working people looking for a job - and they can use this money in a tangible way to help themselves gain employment."

Throwing money at the unemployment problem may seem like the politically correct thing to do right now. Careful spending, however, would be the wiser course.

via leaderherald.com