Will DC Summer Jobs Program End Early?

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- The DC Council has yet to act on Mayor Fenty's request for an additional $24 million to keep the Summer Jobs program for nearly 19,000 young people going until August 21st.

Official action to grant the money or reduce it will come on Friday when the legislators announce plans for tackling the District's multi-million dollar budget deficits for fiscal years 2009 and 2010.

Sources tell 9NEWS NOW the Council wants the city's Chief Financial Officer to look at the numbers to determine if perhaps enough young people have left the program so that the $24 million number can be reduced.

If not, the Council is prepared to grant the full amount, which would assure the summer jobs program would run a full nine weeks and three days.

The legislators have also concluded in their closed door budget meetings that next year's summer jobs effort must be reduced to six weeks to help save money.