ok, first off, i myself have tats, but this is pretty sad. i can’t say that i have any sympathy for people who didn’t have enough forsight to not put an inappropriate tattoo in a visible place where it might be frowned upon in the workplace. all of mine are covered, so i guess i won’t get any of this money.

and yes, i know i’m a few days behind on this, but i saw it over on neoflux and had to post it since i have ink on my body…

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Lois Capps today announced that she secured $50,000 for the Liberty Tattoo Removal Program of San Luis Obispo County in the final Justice Department Appropriations bill. Capps requested the funding in an April letter to the Subcommittee?s Chairman.

?People with tattoos often find themselves being unfairly stereotyped in a way that makes it difficult to find employment or be promoted to higher, better paying positions. The Liberty Tattoo Program works with people in our community to help erase this social stigma. I?m proud to work with this excellent local program to expand the services it can provide with the help of federal funds,? said Rep. Capps.

The funding will be used to hire a full-time program coordinator and for education to deter students from getting tattoos. The Economic Opportunity Commission runs the program with support from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff?s Office and Probation Department, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors, Sierra Vista Hospital, General Hospital, Santa Lucia Bank, the Rotary Club of Nipomo and others. In order to be eligible, a person?s tattoo must be gang-related or anti-social and prevent someone from finding employment or otherwise interfere with the person?s daily life. In addition, participants must agree not to get any additional tattoos and must complete a minimum of 16 hours of public service.