Millions to Lose Unemployment Benefits, Even if Extension Passes; New Course of Action Needed
Even if Congress manages to extend emergency unemployment benefits for more the millions of workers who could receive them, about four million others will see their benefits end over the next year, unless an entirely new program is created. This is according to a report recently issued by the President’s Council of Economic Advisers. So, the crisis facing some now is going to be experienced by even more later, unless serious job-creating actions are taken. You would think that the latest, terrible monthly jobs report would convince those in power that the Great Recession continues...
Read MoreExtended Unemployment Blocked by Republicans Again
Extended unemployment benefits — providing for up to 99 weeks of benefits — have expired again because of Republican obstruction. Up to 2 million long-term job-seekers could lose their benefits by the end of the year. Coverage can be found here. Once again, Republicans oppose helping the unemployed in the name of the budget deficit, even as they stop all other business to protect tax cuts for the very wealthy. Hopefully their obstruction can be overcome some time this month so that benefits do not lapse for long. For the latest on benefits in North Carolina, look for...
Read MoreCongress Provides Funds to Save Teacher Jobs
Last week, the Senate finally passed the $26 billion package to aid states that are still reeling from the effects of the recession. The legislation provides $10 billion to retain teachers who might otherwise lose jobs to cutbacks, and an additional $16 billion to help states with rising health care costs. The bill was quickly passed by the House and signed by President Obama. Of that amount, North Carolina received about $300 million to save teachers’ jobs. North Carolina leaders are now figuring out when and how to use the money. Obviously, one possibility would be to use some...
Read MoreUnemployment Extension Finally Passed Over Republican Filibuster
Senate Democrats, with the help of only two Republicans, were finally available to break the deadlock over the extension of unemployment benefits. President Obama signed the bill this past Thursday. This bill provides a continuation of the program of extended benefits for those who exhaust the standard 26 weeks of unemployment benefits. Coverage is here, here. Although this bill is only a small part of the jobs-boosting agenda Congress needs to have, it was still vital for millions of unemployed having great difficulty finding a job in this broken economy. For an example, see...
Read MoreRepublicans Continue Assault on Unemployed Workers
Senate Republicans (with the help of one Democrat, Ben Nelson) have continued their filibuster of the Democrats’ jobs bill, mustering the 41 votes needed on Thursday to prevent the bill from passage. Republican obstructionism will ultimately spell the end of extended unemployment benefits for millions, even as the economy is nowhere near creating significant job growth. On top of that, failure to pass the bills means states will not receive the much-needed $23 billion to pay for sharply rising Medicaid costs. (The great recession has swelled the ranks of those eligible for health...
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