There’s still hope for funding of a program for summer jobs.

The News Tribune recently presented a look at the chances for summer employment for youth – and now comes news from the Other Washington that Sen. Patty Murray, chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Employment, has successfully included funding in a final version of a bill that will restore a national youth summer 2010 jobs program.

The program, which last year helped employ over 313,000 teens nationally – including 1,200 in Pierce County – is set to receive $1 billion.

According to a release from the senator’s office, the investment in the 2010 summer jobs program is included in the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act, which the Senate is set to vote on this week.

The funding for the summer jobs program will be distributed through the Workforce Investment Act which creates Workforce Investment Boards that act as local hubs for employment.

Stay tuned for updates should the funding become available and hiring begin.