Wednesday, June 30, 2010
@Maddow - Rachel Maddow, MSNBC, on the history and recent collapse of unemployment insurance
Haves: Have Not - Rachel Maddow Show last Friday
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Goodbye, H.R. 5618
As quickly as it was introduced is as quickly as the bill died. H.R. 5618 is dead. Concerns about the debt have trumped the needs of the unemployed. The long term unemployed who have exhausted all benefits are hoping for a miracle as nothing has been introduced or even talked about (except for the mention of a mini stimulus or second stimulus recommended by the Obama Administration).
Here is the latest on what happened today on H.R. 5618 from The Hill:
Here is the latest on what happened today on H.R. 5618 from The Hill:
The House failed Tuesday afternoon to pass an unemployment benefits extension under suspension of the rules. |
The bill failed to gain the two-thirds needed — 261-155 — with 30 Republicans voting in support while 16 Democrats opposed the legislation.
House of Representatives Introduces H.R. 5618
UPDATE: This bill failed today in the United States House of Representatives. The text that was posted earlier will remain however it is no longer applicable. It remains solely to compare a bill that might come forward and also to compare against previous legislation introductions.
The information below is no longer relevant to the current situation.
As posted at, http://waysandmeans.house.gov/press/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=11236
Status: FAILED
H.R. 5618 The Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act
Click here for the text of H.R. 5618
Click here for a graph of the cumulative number of workers losing unemployment benefits due to Senate Republicans’ filibuster of H.R. 4213
Click here for state-by-state breakdown of the estimated number of claimants losing unemployment benefits by July 3, 2010 if Congress fails to act.
• The Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) Program began to phase out at the end of May.
• This means individuals exhausting their 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits over the last month, or exhausting any of the tiers of Federal EUC benefits during this time, are not eligible for emergency unemployment benefits.
• The legislation would retroactively restore those benefits and continue the EUC program through November.
• In addition, the legislation would restore full Federal funding for the permanent-law Extended Benefits program (through November).
• Both of these same policies were included in the jobs package (HR 4213) passed by the House on May 28th.
• Without this extension, an estimated 1.7 million individuals will have lost their unemployment benefits by July 3.
• The bill also includes two beneficiary protections: the continuation of a rule that conditions State eligibility to offer Federal unemployment benefits on an assurance that the State is not cutting the level of regular unemployment benefits; and a safeguard included in the House-passed jobs package (HR 4213) that prevents EUC claimants from having their benefits cut if intermittent earnings requalifies them for regular, State unemployment benefits (which may provide lower payments because the claimant’s more recent wages were lower).
• Unlike the House jobs package (HR 4213), the legislation does not include an extension of the Federal Additional Compensation program, which increases all UI benefits by $25 a week.
The above text is verbatim from the House Ways & Means Committee website posted today, June 29, 2010.
This bill does not include additional weeks of benefits.
In order to pass this bill, Democrats will need 3 Republican votes. Both Senators from Maine have agreed to vote for a stand-alone bill but there is still one vote needed as Senator Ben Nelson has 'bailout fatigue'.
The information below is no longer relevant to the current situation.
As posted at, http://waysandmeans.house.gov/press/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=11236
Status: FAILED
H.R. 5618 The Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act
Click here for the text of H.R. 5618
Click here for a graph of the cumulative number of workers losing unemployment benefits due to Senate Republicans’ filibuster of H.R. 4213
Click here for state-by-state breakdown of the estimated number of claimants losing unemployment benefits by July 3, 2010 if Congress fails to act.
Summary:
• The Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) Program began to phase out at the end of May.
• This means individuals exhausting their 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits over the last month, or exhausting any of the tiers of Federal EUC benefits during this time, are not eligible for emergency unemployment benefits.
• The legislation would retroactively restore those benefits and continue the EUC program through November.
• In addition, the legislation would restore full Federal funding for the permanent-law Extended Benefits program (through November).
• Both of these same policies were included in the jobs package (HR 4213) passed by the House on May 28th.
• Without this extension, an estimated 1.7 million individuals will have lost their unemployment benefits by July 3.
• The bill also includes two beneficiary protections: the continuation of a rule that conditions State eligibility to offer Federal unemployment benefits on an assurance that the State is not cutting the level of regular unemployment benefits; and a safeguard included in the House-passed jobs package (HR 4213) that prevents EUC claimants from having their benefits cut if intermittent earnings requalifies them for regular, State unemployment benefits (which may provide lower payments because the claimant’s more recent wages were lower).
• Unlike the House jobs package (HR 4213), the legislation does not include an extension of the Federal Additional Compensation program, which increases all UI benefits by $25 a week.
The above text is verbatim from the House Ways & Means Committee website posted today, June 29, 2010.
This bill does not include additional weeks of benefits.
In order to pass this bill, Democrats will need 3 Republican votes. Both Senators from Maine have agreed to vote for a stand-alone bill but there is still one vote needed as Senator Ben Nelson has 'bailout fatigue'.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
H.R. 4213 is dead; it's time for a new strategy or that second stimulus talked up recently.
This issue is now more than just about an unemployment extension and a Medicare adjustment. This issue is now about: Do you stand with the American workers who have fallen on a rough job market or do you stand over in a corner somehwere silent about the issue chanting with big business proud to have defeated the hardest hit persons in the Great Recession?H.R. 4213 is dead; it's time for a new strategy or that second stimulus talked up recently.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
H.R. 4213 seemingly goes on life support at the moment
H.R. 4213, American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010, becomes increasingly difficult to write about and the bill that was introduced back on December 7, 2009 continues to be evasive in nature at predicting when final action will occur on the bill. As has been posted each and every week that Congress is in session since before and after the Memorial Day break, there are reports that the bill will pass 'this' week.
When exactly is this magical 'this' week finally going to happen?
People are depending on action - not bickering.
No one needs to read from this blog or from any other source that 'this week' is going to be a magical week that last week was not. Anything beyond the fact the bill is stalled is speculation. Not enough votes exist for the bill and the number of R's to D's in high unemployment states is nearly equal. No majority on an issue tends to equal no action on an issue and that fact continues to prove true when discussing this legislation.
An agreement cannot be made and the votes to quickly pass the legislation remain seemingly non-existent. When the news finally does arrive that this bill has been passed, there are thousands who will be fact checking every source due to the nature of the way this bill has been picked apart and criticized for adding to the deficit - at the end of the day this bill will add to the deficit be it directly added to the deficit or through 'leftover' or 'unused' stimulus fund. With these facts in mind and the needs of the jobless who still cannot find work, it places a renewed sense of reality on the prospect that Congress will do anything further for the unemployed who have exhausted benefits.
As documented by the Detroit Job Search Examiner, Senator Orrin Hatch has introduced an amendment requiring the jobless to be drug tested. This is in addition to the other two hundred, fifty frivolous [250+] amendments which the US Senate must address as required by the rules of the Senate and the U.S. Constitution.
Jobless do not have time to wait for this type of debate about nonsense and sorting through frivolous amendments. This legislation is important and to hundreds of thousands it is time sensitive. To each and every one of you out there depending on this legislation now - start a coalition to drug test Congress as soon as your financial troubles are less frightening.
Unemployed people are not making major policy decisions which affect the country (and in some cases the world) and stalling important legislation. Who again needs to be randomly drug tested here? Where's the results for Orrin Hatch's latest drug test?
There is ample reason to call for the Senator to take a drug test when considering that Utah has an extremely low unemployment rate compared to other states in the nation. Why the heck is Senator Hatch even introducing an amendment to this bill? His vote is going to be a 'No' vote anyway based on prior voting records - this is just a transparent and blatant attempt to kill this bill and the drug testing thing sounds good but if a government is seriously concerned about a deficit now is not the time to add more expense to an already expensive bill.
This political stunt insults the intelligence of the unemployed and is in poor taste - Ed Schultz needs to do a report on this one. This is truly 'Psycho Talk'.
This is a must-read good article from Monica Ross-Williams at http://www.examiner.com/x-48896-Detroit-Job-Search-Examiner~y2010m6d22-Senate-delays-action-on-Unemployment-bill-Senator-Hatch-wants-drug-testing
When exactly is this magical 'this' week finally going to happen?
People are depending on action - not bickering.
No one needs to read from this blog or from any other source that 'this week' is going to be a magical week that last week was not. Anything beyond the fact the bill is stalled is speculation. Not enough votes exist for the bill and the number of R's to D's in high unemployment states is nearly equal. No majority on an issue tends to equal no action on an issue and that fact continues to prove true when discussing this legislation.
An agreement cannot be made and the votes to quickly pass the legislation remain seemingly non-existent. When the news finally does arrive that this bill has been passed, there are thousands who will be fact checking every source due to the nature of the way this bill has been picked apart and criticized for adding to the deficit - at the end of the day this bill will add to the deficit be it directly added to the deficit or through 'leftover' or 'unused' stimulus fund. With these facts in mind and the needs of the jobless who still cannot find work, it places a renewed sense of reality on the prospect that Congress will do anything further for the unemployed who have exhausted benefits.
As documented by the Detroit Job Search Examiner, Senator Orrin Hatch has introduced an amendment requiring the jobless to be drug tested. This is in addition to the other two hundred, fifty frivolous [250+] amendments which the US Senate must address as required by the rules of the Senate and the U.S. Constitution.
Jobless do not have time to wait for this type of debate about nonsense and sorting through frivolous amendments. This legislation is important and to hundreds of thousands it is time sensitive. To each and every one of you out there depending on this legislation now - start a coalition to drug test Congress as soon as your financial troubles are less frightening.
Unemployed people are not making major policy decisions which affect the country (and in some cases the world) and stalling important legislation. Who again needs to be randomly drug tested here? Where's the results for Orrin Hatch's latest drug test?
There is ample reason to call for the Senator to take a drug test when considering that Utah has an extremely low unemployment rate compared to other states in the nation. Why the heck is Senator Hatch even introducing an amendment to this bill? His vote is going to be a 'No' vote anyway based on prior voting records - this is just a transparent and blatant attempt to kill this bill and the drug testing thing sounds good but if a government is seriously concerned about a deficit now is not the time to add more expense to an already expensive bill.
This political stunt insults the intelligence of the unemployed and is in poor taste - Ed Schultz needs to do a report on this one. This is truly 'Psycho Talk'.
This is a must-read good article from Monica Ross-Williams at http://www.examiner.com/x-48896-Detroit-Job-Search-Examiner~y2010m6d22-Senate-delays-action-on-Unemployment-bill-Senator-Hatch-wants-drug-testing
Monday, June 21, 2010
NELP supports protest rallies for the unemployed
The National Employment Law Project (NELP) has recently posted the information below for the unemployed in the Philadelphia, PA and Detroit, MI areas. Should the unemployed follow suit with NELP in other cities around the country on the 23rd?
This is the information as posted at http://unemployedworkers.org/sites/unemployedworkers/index.php/content/blog
This is the information as posted at http://unemployedworkers.org/sites/unemployedworkers/index.php/content/blog
Thousands of jobless Americans have joined our campaign to call for Congress to take aggressive action to aid the unemployed—but they still are not taking action. Here’s your opportunity to bring your frustrations to the streets.
On June 23rd, NELP's partners at Jobs with Justice and the Philadelphia Unemployment Project will be holding protests to demand national action to aid the unemployed. We invite you to join the actions:
Philadelphia Click Here:
Join Unemployed Workers for a Rally and Symbolic Soup Line at City Hall @ Dilworth Plaza on June 23rd
Help us fight for Extended Unemployment Benefits and COBRA subsidies for the jobless!
When: June 23rd from Noon-1:30 PM
Where: Philadelphia’s City Hall- West side @ Dilworth Plaza
Who: Unemployed workers, labor and religious leaders, concerned people
Why: To Fight for Extended Unemployment Compensation, COBRA health care subsidies, and JOBS!
Contact: Anthony Williams, Philadelphia Unemployment Project, Awilliams@philaup.org
Detroit Click Here:
Money for Jobs Not Banks
Labor/Community March
When: Wednesday, June 23, 5:00pm
Where: Detroit, Michigan, Hart Plaza, (Jefferson & Woodward)
Who: Workers, with and without jobs
Why: To Fight for Jobs and Support for the Unemployed
Contact: Fran Tobin, Jobs with Justice, fran@jwj.org
Friday, June 18, 2010
GOP filibusters wide-ranging benefits and tax bill in Senate
Senate Democrats failed Thursday to overcome a Republican filibuster of a bill to extend unemployment benefits and prevent Medicare doctors from having their reimbursements cut.
All Republicans opposed ending debate on the wide-ranging bill, forcing further negotiations on specific provisions to seek a possible compromise.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid complained Republicans were simply stalling progress on the bill, and he and other Democratic leaders said the GOP filibuster showed Republicans were aligned with special interests such as oil companies and Wall Street hedge funds.
In floor debate, Republicans proposed using money from the stimulus bill to pay for provisions of the bill, but Democrats objected. Republicans complained that the bill would increase the deficit, a concern shared by some Democrats.
Full Story @ CNN: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/06/18/gop-filibusters-wide-ranging-benefits-and-tax-bill-in-senate/?fbid=qLcA86yhRr8
All Republicans opposed ending debate on the wide-ranging bill, forcing further negotiations on specific provisions to seek a possible compromise.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid complained Republicans were simply stalling progress on the bill, and he and other Democratic leaders said the GOP filibuster showed Republicans were aligned with special interests such as oil companies and Wall Street hedge funds.
In floor debate, Republicans proposed using money from the stimulus bill to pay for provisions of the bill, but Democrats objected. Republicans complained that the bill would increase the deficit, a concern shared by some Democrats.
Full Story @ CNN: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/06/18/gop-filibusters-wide-ranging-benefits-and-tax-bill-in-senate/?fbid=qLcA86yhRr8
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
99ers Got Ed & Jim McDermott - Last Night's Ed Show
This clip is from "The Ed Show" which aired last night on MSNBC.
For those who missed it, enjoy.
(If there is anyone out there who cannot hear the audio due to hearing impairment or simple lack of speakers on your computer... the transcript of this video will be added to this post within 24 hours.)
Essentially, the video finally points toward a more defined direction for those who have exhausted all benefits and Rep. Jim McDermott is beginning the hearings for the long term unemployed. There is still no bill yet - it is in a committee though - as soon as more details get hashed out everyone will know more details.
For those who missed it, enjoy.
(If there is anyone out there who cannot hear the audio due to hearing impairment or simple lack of speakers on your computer... the transcript of this video will be added to this post within 24 hours.)
Essentially, the video finally points toward a more defined direction for those who have exhausted all benefits and Rep. Jim McDermott is beginning the hearings for the long term unemployed. There is still no bill yet - it is in a committee though - as soon as more details get hashed out everyone will know more details.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
OP: The social injustice for long term unemployed still exists and continues to fester
The "Jobless In America" series of articles began one full month ago when the first state that was covered was California. Having written about only 10 of the 50 states thus far, with Illinois United States United States
Of course the efforts of the long term unemployed to gain congressional recognition began many more months ago. Nearly all is lost for some - including hope. Long term unemployed need to know there are people fighting with them on this issue and will be here until the problem is resolved through job creation. There are reasons to remain hopeful. There are many reasons to politically fight and plea for extended unemployment benefits. This is just the absolute least thing that should be done for the unemployed and as more and more exhaust benefits - the least is not being done.
There are many questions to be answered which right now the answers do not exist and it is just not useful to the immediate needs of the unemployed. For example, I would like to know why a 20 acre shopping facility in my community has received nearly $300,000 of stimulus funds but there are no construction workers on the site. That shopping complex alone would create hundreds of jobs in a rural area ofTennessee
The long term unemployed who have exhausted benefits need money now to not just prevent a double dip recession but also for the more moral reasons such as so they can provide for their children and themselves with the most basic necessities such as housing and food.
To a person without a job right now, this is not just a case of a political malpractice. Each and every day, it seems like this is social holocaust. Let me be clear with my readers, in many ways it is. Members of Congress know this. What they are not counting on though is the majority of American people knowing this.
The issue of unemployment has now become too politically safe for democrats. Democrats need not do anything for the rest of the year for the unemployed and they can all safely prove to be a better candidate on the issue of unemployment insurance to the majority of Americans who vote than the republican candidate who opposes unemployment insurance altogether. And then there's another half, perhaps some from the same half of others, of theUnited States
A deficit is still a deficit and a debt is still a debt - the amounts are arbitrary and considering the circumstances, what the hell would another $200 billion do in the long term as far as paying down the debt?
Nearly each and every state in the union is facing budget problems and is making cuts to necessary functions as the first (and only) stimulus for Main Street fades. Additionally, more and more persons will fall into the ranks of the unemployed as these cuts escalate. As this is being typed right now, there's a teacher that knows that he or she will not have a job next year and is planning for it. At least these persons are being forewarned. The long term jobless right now who have exhausted unemployment insurance were given no notice and more voices need to be advocating for the hardest-hit in this Great Recession.
Some politicians are feeding fear to the people demanding resolution to the deficit. For whatever reason, these persons have completely forgotten that the country is still healing from the greatest financial collapse since the Great Depression and are buying into this fear. This fear of the deficit is why the issue of unemployment is so politically toxic and it is taking months for important and time sensitive legislation to clear Congress. Both political parties are playing the safe card through the 2010 election cycle. Pelosi's answer stating that they will take up the issue again in November seemed to be code for if democrats still have a majority and these problems are still ours to correct then we will do something, of course. Right now we choose not to be on the causing controversy about the deficit. This is an A-list political card republicans could use against democrats - if only they did not already make their stand opposing these extensions.
Some persons who have not been impacted as badly by the financial collapse are seemingly discarding the immediate needs of up to 20% of theUnited States
The recent news of the House Ways & Means starting a subcommittee hearing on the issue of the long term jobless is encouraging, but shouldn't this issue be on a faster track? The entire country is a hospital right now in the sense of healing from the financial collapse and it seems like the persons in the ER are being quarantined rather than treated. Some disgusting companies are even being so blatantly discriminating to state in their job ads that they will not hire anyone who is currently unemployed.
If a true and organized boycott were to occur, it should be on these companies discriminating against the unemployed. Such a boycott is simply consumer choice, right? Just as there's no specific law on the books for the companies who are discriminating hiring unemployed and mostly displaced workers, that's the power of consumer choice if an organized boycott occurs. As more and more of these stories surface, a list is being created and documented for these companies denying their fellow Americans any opportunity for a job.
My only advice to the unemployed is to continue the fight. Take comfort in knowing that you are documented and being recognized by some of your fellow Americans. Advocacy is happening and results are waiting. Waiting until November is not the solution. No one can promise when relief will come but the promise of the emergency flare being fired and seen can be made. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and the 111th Congress does have the "99er petition" found at 99erspetition.com. It is my sincere hope and the relentless advocacy of this blog that action is taken as soon as possible.
Of course the efforts of the long term unemployed to gain congressional recognition began many more months ago. Nearly all is lost for some - including hope. Long term unemployed need to know there are people fighting with them on this issue and will be here until the problem is resolved through job creation. There are reasons to remain hopeful. There are many reasons to politically fight and plea for extended unemployment benefits. This is just the absolute least thing that should be done for the unemployed and as more and more exhaust benefits - the least is not being done.
There are many questions to be answered which right now the answers do not exist and it is just not useful to the immediate needs of the unemployed. For example, I would like to know why a 20 acre shopping facility in my community has received nearly $300,000 of stimulus funds but there are no construction workers on the site. That shopping complex alone would create hundreds of jobs in a rural area of
The long term unemployed who have exhausted benefits need money now to not just prevent a double dip recession but also for the more moral reasons such as so they can provide for their children and themselves with the most basic necessities such as housing and food.
To a person without a job right now, this is not just a case of a political malpractice. Each and every day, it seems like this is social holocaust. Let me be clear with my readers, in many ways it is. Members of Congress know this. What they are not counting on though is the majority of American people knowing this.
The issue of unemployment has now become too politically safe for democrats. Democrats need not do anything for the rest of the year for the unemployed and they can all safely prove to be a better candidate on the issue of unemployment insurance to the majority of Americans who vote than the republican candidate who opposes unemployment insurance altogether. And then there's another half, perhaps some from the same half of others, of the
A deficit is still a deficit and a debt is still a debt - the amounts are arbitrary and considering the circumstances, what the hell would another $200 billion do in the long term as far as paying down the debt?
Nearly each and every state in the union is facing budget problems and is making cuts to necessary functions as the first (and only) stimulus for Main Street fades. Additionally, more and more persons will fall into the ranks of the unemployed as these cuts escalate. As this is being typed right now, there's a teacher that knows that he or she will not have a job next year and is planning for it. At least these persons are being forewarned. The long term jobless right now who have exhausted unemployment insurance were given no notice and more voices need to be advocating for the hardest-hit in this Great Recession.
Some politicians are feeding fear to the people demanding resolution to the deficit. For whatever reason, these persons have completely forgotten that the country is still healing from the greatest financial collapse since the Great Depression and are buying into this fear. This fear of the deficit is why the issue of unemployment is so politically toxic and it is taking months for important and time sensitive legislation to clear Congress. Both political parties are playing the safe card through the 2010 election cycle. Pelosi's answer stating that they will take up the issue again in November seemed to be code for if democrats still have a majority and these problems are still ours to correct then we will do something, of course. Right now we choose not to be on the causing controversy about the deficit. This is an A-list political card republicans could use against democrats - if only they did not already make their stand opposing these extensions.
Some persons who have not been impacted as badly by the financial collapse are seemingly discarding the immediate needs of up to 20% of the
The recent news of the House Ways & Means starting a subcommittee hearing on the issue of the long term jobless is encouraging, but shouldn't this issue be on a faster track? The entire country is a hospital right now in the sense of healing from the financial collapse and it seems like the persons in the ER are being quarantined rather than treated. Some disgusting companies are even being so blatantly discriminating to state in their job ads that they will not hire anyone who is currently unemployed.
If a true and organized boycott were to occur, it should be on these companies discriminating against the unemployed. Such a boycott is simply consumer choice, right? Just as there's no specific law on the books for the companies who are discriminating hiring unemployed and mostly displaced workers, that's the power of consumer choice if an organized boycott occurs. As more and more of these stories surface, a list is being created and documented for these companies denying their fellow Americans any opportunity for a job.
My only advice to the unemployed is to continue the fight. Take comfort in knowing that you are documented and being recognized by some of your fellow Americans. Advocacy is happening and results are waiting. Waiting until November is not the solution. No one can promise when relief will come but the promise of the emergency flare being fired and seen can be made. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and the 111th Congress does have the "99er petition" found at 99erspetition.com. It is my sincere hope and the relentless advocacy of this blog that action is taken as soon as possible.
H.R. 4213 Now Being Debated By US Senate
The democratic leadership in the Senate has invoked cloture on H.R. 4213 and the bill is scheduled to be passed before the end of this week. However, this may prove to be difficult if at least one republican can come to the aid of jobless for the passage. Without a 60 vote super majority, it is proving to be more and more difficult to pass any legislation in the United States Senate.
According to the United States Department of Labor, over 300,000 persons will lose their benefits this week alone - who are on the current available tiers of unemployment. Unless of course, H.R. 4213 (better known as the Extenders Bill) can get passed this week. According to staffers at Reid's office, the bill is expected to pass this week in the US Senate and at that point it is ready for the President.
The passage of H.R. 4213, the "extenders bill" will guarantee benefits for those in the existing tiers of unemployment insurance through November. This bill also reinstates tax cuts which have expired for business and raises taxes for hedge fund managers.
This bill does not add additional weeks for anyone who has exhausted the current federal maximum of 99 weeks.
ARTICLE CORRECTION:
At the date and time of this posting, it is incorrect that Harry Reid had filed cloture and as a reader pointed out - the measure will need to go back to the U.S. House before it can go to the President. My sincere apologies on this. Wrong information has never been the intent of this blogger.
As more correct information is known - I will keep you posted.
Keep making the corrections for others in comments. As crazy as this Congress is, it is about the same as predicting the weather without a satellite image. Cut me some slack - let's move forward. Check out the ticker above for the latest news sources on H.R. 4213 and check out the sidebar for more resources. Do your own searches for news also.
This is a reader-dependent blog and I thank each and every one of you posting relevant and useful comments and correcting the information as we know it (or think we know it).
After watching some of the boards out there - guys do not turn on each other. It serves no purpose to divide no matter how angry we get. Your frustration is with the government and the lack of jobs. Never forget that. Any other frustration in your life is minor and a side effect of inaction of government and the lack of jobs.
According to the United States Department of Labor, over 300,000 persons will lose their benefits this week alone - who are on the current available tiers of unemployment. Unless of course, H.R. 4213 (better known as the Extenders Bill) can get passed this week. According to staffers at Reid's office, the bill is expected to pass this week in the US Senate and at that point it is ready for the President.
The passage of H.R. 4213, the "extenders bill" will guarantee benefits for those in the existing tiers of unemployment insurance through November. This bill also reinstates tax cuts which have expired for business and raises taxes for hedge fund managers.
This bill does not add additional weeks for anyone who has exhausted the current federal maximum of 99 weeks.
ARTICLE CORRECTION:
At the date and time of this posting, it is incorrect that Harry Reid had filed cloture and as a reader pointed out - the measure will need to go back to the U.S. House before it can go to the President. My sincere apologies on this. Wrong information has never been the intent of this blogger.
As more correct information is known - I will keep you posted.
Keep making the corrections for others in comments. As crazy as this Congress is, it is about the same as predicting the weather without a satellite image. Cut me some slack - let's move forward. Check out the ticker above for the latest news sources on H.R. 4213 and check out the sidebar for more resources. Do your own searches for news also.
This is a reader-dependent blog and I thank each and every one of you posting relevant and useful comments and correcting the information as we know it (or think we know it).
After watching some of the boards out there - guys do not turn on each other. It serves no purpose to divide no matter how angry we get. Your frustration is with the government and the lack of jobs. Never forget that. Any other frustration in your life is minor and a side effect of inaction of government and the lack of jobs.
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Monday, June 07, 2010
Thousands Of Tennessee Residents Cannot Certify For Weekly Unemployment Insurance Benefits - Other States, Same Issue
This is a brief statement from the Tennessee Department of Labor/WFD:
If you are in the State of Tennessee you may email: john.partlow@tn.gov and he can assist with your claim and give you information. More on this issue will be posted when it is known.
UPDATE: Us Unemployed Blogsite has learned that the issues with certifying in the State of Tennessee have now been resolved. If you are still experiencing problems, call the claims center or try to certify again tomorrow.
In effect, if you are on a current unemployment tier of benefits - you will not be able to certify until Congress resolves this issue when they return from break this week. Is there anyone out there still receiving benefits who happens to have links to resources or are from other states having this same issue?Last week, the United States Senate adjourned without passing legislation to extend the expiration date for the EUC, FAC and EB provisions beyond June 2, 2010. Congress is scheduled to return the week of June 7, 2010 and it is expected that the Senate will take up the House-passed version of HR 4213 at that time. At issue is whether any future extension will be retroactive to address the “coverage gap” that will be created beginning June 2, 2010, if no legislation is in place.Any regular Tennessee Unemployment Compensation claim that exhausted benefits with week ending 5/22/10 should have transitioned to Tier 1 for the phase-out period. As of now, Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) new claims or transitions to the program will expire with the date of 06/02/10. If a claimant exhausts a Tier-1, Tier-2 or Tier-3 balance on weekending 05/29/10, the claimant will be entitled to set up the next Tier on 06/01/10. No other entitlement is allowed. If a claimant has set up on EUC by application or transition entitlement that week, the claimant will be allowed to draw out any balance in that part (Tier) of the program. No other funding/entitlement will be set up after that date unless the National Congress approves another extension period. That is unknown at this time.The Extended Benefit (EB) program will stop according to state law on June 5, 2010. No balances will be paid out, and no new entitlement will be set up after that date. According to Federal law if an individual was receiving EB and has not drawn a Tier 2XTRA week or had any Tier-3 entitlement set up, the claimant may do so for weekending June 12, 2010. This is the only entitlement that will be allowed the claimant. After that amount has been received no further benefits will be paid unless Congress authorizes an extension of the dates for Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation or Extended Benefits.
Source: http://www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/unemployment_ExtendedBenefits_Nov2009.html
If you are in the State of Tennessee you may email: john.partlow@tn.gov and he can assist with your claim and give you information. More on this issue will be posted when it is known.
UPDATE: Us Unemployed Blogsite has learned that the issues with certifying in the State of Tennessee have now been resolved. If you are still experiencing problems, call the claims center or try to certify again tomorrow.
Sunday, June 06, 2010
The Need For A Second Stimulus Exists As Dow Dips Below 10,000
If you do some digging on the net, the need for a second stimulus is documented even as early as last year in 2009. We are only recently hearing more calls for a second stimulus; but the case for a second stimulus is mounting; especially when one considers that the last stimulus did not take into account any fiscal problems for state and local governments. In addition to Paul Krugman's recent assertion, many have long argued the need for a second stimulus. Most in fact the very day that the first stimulus was passed. It was recognized that the first stimulus would not do enough to create private sector jobs. In January of this year, it was recognized by The Christian Science Monitor that the need for a second stimulus exists.
The United States mastered macroeconomic management, wrote the textbooks, and the Chinese are currently using our own playbook to have a faster recovery in this Great Recession with an economics model created by the United States. The article referenced by the Christian Science Monitor was written from the assertions of Joseph Stiglitz, who was awarded the Nobel prize for economics in 2001 and has published the book, Freefall: America, Free Markets and the Sinking of the World Economy the link to this book is posted below for anyone interested in the assertions made by Mr. Stiglitz, an economist who the federal government needs to be listening to and passing a second stimulus.
Below is an excerpt from that article in the Christian Science Monitor:
This is a tool for the unemployed. This is a talking point and this is a reason to petition again to Congress, this is another reason to continue advocacy. Perhaps Congress does not have the political will for a "Tier 5" because of the name. Let's just call it EB2 then. Call it the "Funding States That Are Broke Act of 2010". Call it whatever you want to call it. Write the legislation and pass it NOW!
Readers, we need input!
It is obvious persons are exhausted over everything. Frustrated. At the tipping point, if you will... Scared.
Would it be worthwhile to start a campaign for a second stimulus or is everyone too burned out at this point?
You wouldn't be calling Congress for a Tier 5, you would be calling for a second stimulus to prevent the double dip recession which is inevitable without it. Investors are not going to invest unless they are certain the economy is going to create jobs and increase consumer spending. Naturally, cutting the safety net from 10% or more of the United States population is not a very smart way to increase consumer spending. Doing nothing is not a solution. Waiting until November to take action is not a solution. Ideas anyone?
The unemployed might win their argument for a Tier 5 by making this a case about the economy rather than just unemployment insurance extensions.
On January 22, 2010, The Christian Science Monitor reported at this link: http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Global-Viewpoint/2010/0122/US-economy-needs-a-second-stimulus that the U.S. economy needs a second stimulus. The article references Keynesian economics which is the key that China is using to get out of their recession citing the construction of high speed rail in China. Something that this government is not truly doing. Not in the way that the Republicans are saying that we are not doing . The Republican model for economic policy is an all out spending freeze.The last stimulus package didn’t take into account the fiscal problems the recession would create for state and local governments. -The Christian Science Monitor
The United States mastered macroeconomic management, wrote the textbooks, and the Chinese are currently using our own playbook to have a faster recovery in this Great Recession with an economics model created by the United States. The article referenced by the Christian Science Monitor was written from the assertions of Joseph Stiglitz, who was awarded the Nobel prize for economics in 2001 and has published the book, Freefall: America, Free Markets and the Sinking of the World Economy the link to this book is posted below for anyone interested in the assertions made by Mr. Stiglitz, an economist who the federal government needs to be listening to and passing a second stimulus.
Below is an excerpt from that article in the Christian Science Monitor:
The US stimulus has made a difference. If we hadn’t had the stimulus, unemployment would be 11 or 12 percent. Yet, it was not big enough or well enough designed to bring employment back to normal levels.
This is a tool for the unemployed. This is a talking point and this is a reason to petition again to Congress, this is another reason to continue advocacy. Perhaps Congress does not have the political will for a "Tier 5" because of the name. Let's just call it EB2 then. Call it the "Funding States That Are Broke Act of 2010". Call it whatever you want to call it. Write the legislation and pass it NOW!
Readers, we need input!
It is obvious persons are exhausted over everything. Frustrated. At the tipping point, if you will... Scared.
Would it be worthwhile to start a campaign for a second stimulus or is everyone too burned out at this point?
You wouldn't be calling Congress for a Tier 5, you would be calling for a second stimulus to prevent the double dip recession which is inevitable without it. Investors are not going to invest unless they are certain the economy is going to create jobs and increase consumer spending. Naturally, cutting the safety net from 10% or more of the United States population is not a very smart way to increase consumer spending. Doing nothing is not a solution. Waiting until November to take action is not a solution. Ideas anyone?
The unemployed might win their argument for a Tier 5 by making this a case about the economy rather than just unemployment insurance extensions.
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Senator Richard Burr Uses BP Oil Leak As Smoke-Screen To Shut Out A Tier 5 Or A Second Stimulus
According to DailyAdvance.com, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) says that the focus right now should be on stopping the BP oil leak. Burr has a record voting against unemployment insurance and when asked about a second stimulus for help to the struggling states and the unemployed, Burr stated:
“We’re just not in a position as a federal government to create a second stimulus package,” Burr said. “I don’t think it’s the role of the federal government to come to the aid of states and bail them out.”
Burr expressed support for the various probes that are looking into what caused the disaster and whether it could have been prevented. Burr stated also that:
“It’s absolutely essential for us to understand what went wrong,” Burr said. “I can’t tell you today whether a federal regulator turned their back or a company cut some corners they shouldn’t have.”
According to the Associated Press, government officials estimate that the leak, which started six weeks ago, has now dumped anywhere from 21 million to 45 million gallons of oil into theGulf of Mexico . BP’s latest efforts to plug the leak ran into a problems and an oil slick from the disaster began approaching the Florida
This statement comes from Burr’s trip to Edenton on Wednesday for tours of the newly renovated Cupola House and to visit local employers. He also participated in a radio interview conducted by 103.7 WTIB-FM talk show host andChowan County
If you are a 99er and/or have exhausted all benefits of unemployment assistance, continue to expect a “No” vote from the senior Senator Richard Burr. According to the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Burr’s state of North Carolina is experiencing an unprecedented 10.9% (nearly 11%) unemployment rate and the state’s unemployment fund is broke just as many others across the nation.
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-51044-Nashville-DNC-Examiner~y2010m6d5-Senator-Richard-Burr-RNC-uses-BP-oil-spill-as-smokescreen-for-no-support-for-second-stimulus#
“We’re just not in a position as a federal government to create a second stimulus package,” Burr said. “I don’t think it’s the role of the federal government to come to the aid of states and bail them out.”
Burr expressed support for the various probes that are looking into what caused the disaster and whether it could have been prevented. Burr stated also that:
“It’s absolutely essential for us to understand what went wrong,” Burr said. “I can’t tell you today whether a federal regulator turned their back or a company cut some corners they shouldn’t have.”
According to the Associated Press, government officials estimate that the leak, which started six weeks ago, has now dumped anywhere from 21 million to 45 million gallons of oil into the
This statement comes from Burr’s trip to Edenton on Wednesday for tours of the newly renovated Cupola House and to visit local employers. He also participated in a radio interview conducted by 103.7 WTIB-FM talk show host and
If you are a 99er and/or have exhausted all benefits of unemployment assistance, continue to expect a “No” vote from the senior Senator Richard Burr. According to the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Burr’s state of North Carolina is experiencing an unprecedented 10.9% (nearly 11%) unemployment rate and the state’s unemployment fund is broke just as many others across the nation.
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-51044-Nashville-DNC-Examiner~y2010m6d5-Senator-Richard-Burr-RNC-uses-BP-oil-spill-as-smokescreen-for-no-support-for-second-stimulus#
Friday, June 04, 2010
Tier 5 and extended unemployment benefits: the media awakens, while Congress still sleeps
This was a great recap article for the week. Great work as always by Michael Thornton - the Rochester Unemployment Examiner. Check out his other articles here: http://www.examiner.com/x-27052-Rochester-Unemployment-Examiner
Mr. Thornton has been on top of everything just as well as anyone can be. The purpose of this blog has always been to get people to the best information on the Internet about the issue of unemployment. If that's not through any of the blog postings of US Unemployed Blogsite, there are tickers above, links to the side, and a scrolling list of tweets to sort through at the bottom.
I want to be clear to my readers. Despite what Nancy Pelosi might have said last week this blogger is not giving up on this fight. Do a Google search on her poll numbers and that should answer the question of whether or not this woman will be the Speaker of the House after November.
The only thing I can say about her is at least she votes "Yay" on previous unemployment bills and on HR 4213. The demeanor and her tone when addressing the 99ers last week was unacceptable. Democrats would be wise to have her resign so that another more qualified democratic candidate can run in the 8th district of California.
Without further ado... This is the must read recap of the week....
Tier 5 and extended unemployment benefits: the media awakens, while Congress still sleeps
Best wishes to everyone out there. Have a great weekend. Think of new ideas to get more media!
Mr. Thornton has been on top of everything just as well as anyone can be. The purpose of this blog has always been to get people to the best information on the Internet about the issue of unemployment. If that's not through any of the blog postings of US Unemployed Blogsite, there are tickers above, links to the side, and a scrolling list of tweets to sort through at the bottom.
I want to be clear to my readers. Despite what Nancy Pelosi might have said last week this blogger is not giving up on this fight. Do a Google search on her poll numbers and that should answer the question of whether or not this woman will be the Speaker of the House after November.
The only thing I can say about her is at least she votes "Yay" on previous unemployment bills and on HR 4213. The demeanor and her tone when addressing the 99ers last week was unacceptable. Democrats would be wise to have her resign so that another more qualified democratic candidate can run in the 8th district of California.
Without further ado... This is the must read recap of the week....
Tier 5 and extended unemployment benefits: the media awakens, while Congress still sleeps
Best wishes to everyone out there. Have a great weekend. Think of new ideas to get more media!
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
FOX Nation Picks Up On Second Stimulus Story A Full Week Later - The Comments, Of Course, Infested With Neocons... #TIER5
Newsworthy only in the fact that Fox is a major network, the story of Lawrence Summers making the case for a second stimulus has trickled its way up to a posting by Fox Nation. Their short and sweet story on the subject is posted here: http://www.thefoxnation.com/larry-summers/2010/06/01/obama-adviser-calls-2nd-stimulus?page=1 The report is undated; however, there is not one single comment dated before June 1 and it appears in Google search results as illustrated above. [Posted 16 hours ago]. Better late than never? Fox is late with their report but their post on the subject has yielded over 120 comments all on the similar order of opposing a second stimulus.
If there are any unemployed out there who want to attempt to talk reason to the neocons - do so at your own risk. These persons are those helping stand in the way of a second stimulus that would include unemployment benefits. Nearly every comment opposes federal spending and a second stimulus.
These voices are what lawmakers are hearing from as a majority apparently. Read these comments and feel free to join in and let these people know they are full of it in respect to the needs of a second stimulus.
There has to be a conservative who sees the need for a second stimulus for unemployment insurance who reads this blog and also is a fan of Fox News. The unemployment club is not a "democrat only" club here.
When people lose the will to speak up and out on these issues the environment for "no political will" prevails. As Congress is on vacation for the week and it appears this blogger is a full week ahead of Fox News on this story - there's nothing better to post today other than the reasons why a second stimulus would not happen and that's reflected in the comment section of this: http://www.thefoxnation.com/larry-summers/2010/06/01/obama-adviser-calls-2nd-stimulus?page=1
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Nobel Prize winning economist, Paul Krugman, criticizes lawmakers for 'inflicting pain' to jobless
Paul Krugman, winner of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 2008, helped make the case for a second stimulus stronger over the holiday weekend by mentioning in the New York Times Op-Ed that lawmakers should increase availability of insurance benefits in this weak, but gradually growing economy. In his New York Time's article "The Pain Caucus", dated May 30, 2010, Krugman asserts that it is a 'destructive idea' to 'stop helping the jobless and start inflicting pain.'
Paul Krugman's statement echoes the message that Lawrence Summers made last week before the Congressional recess when he made the case for a second stimulus which would include additional jobless benefits, tax cuts, and the proposal would continue to provide funding to assist the states who are facing many cuts next year due to budget issues and the toll the Great Recession has taken. The bill, H.R. 4213, which extends the filing dates for the current approved tiers of benefits passed the United States House of Representatives by a vote of 245-171 in the United States House of Representatives and the measure was not taken up in the United States Senate before the Memorial Day break. This is the second consecutive month that the Congress failed to take up the measure before the deadline expired. If you want to see how your representative voted in the US House, see the official roll call at http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll325.xml.
Read the entire article at: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-51044-Nashville-DNC-Examiner~y2010m6d1-Nobel-Prize-winning-economist-Paul-Krugman-criticizes-lawmakers-for-inflicting-pain-to-jobless?cid=publish_twitter:51044
Paul Krugman's statement echoes the message that Lawrence Summers made last week before the Congressional recess when he made the case for a second stimulus which would include additional jobless benefits, tax cuts, and the proposal would continue to provide funding to assist the states who are facing many cuts next year due to budget issues and the toll the Great Recession has taken. The bill, H.R. 4213, which extends the filing dates for the current approved tiers of benefits passed the United States House of Representatives by a vote of 245-171 in the United States House of Representatives and the measure was not taken up in the United States Senate before the Memorial Day break. This is the second consecutive month that the Congress failed to take up the measure before the deadline expired. If you want to see how your representative voted in the US House, see the official roll call at http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll325.xml.
Read the entire article at: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-51044-Nashville-DNC-Examiner~y2010m6d1-Nobel-Prize-winning-economist-Paul-Krugman-criticizes-lawmakers-for-inflicting-pain-to-jobless?cid=publish_twitter:51044
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