CNN Money’s Ali Velshi wants President to address "99ers" (video) - National Political Buzz | Examiner.com

CNN Money’s Ali Velshi wants President to address "99ers" (video) - National Political Buzz | Examiner.com

Congressman Jackson gives a voice to the Unemployed - National liberal | Examiner.com

Congressman Jackson gives a voice to the Unemployed - National liberal | Examiner.com

CNN Money forecasts a hiring boom in 2011

By Chris Isidore, senior writer 

Link to source article:  http://cnnmoney.mobi/primary/_yK98xL-iXDsVuh2J6

After three years of economic pain, a growing number of economists think 2011 will finally bring what everyone's been hoping for: More jobs and a self-sustaining recovery.

"We're looking at some leading indicators on employment, and they're all flashing green lights," said Bernard Baumohl of the Economic Outlook Group, a Princeton, N.J. research firm.

Though most economists still expect a painfully high unemployment rate of about 9% at the end of this year, Baumohl and others think that stat masks more important signs of strength.

Baumohl and some other economists forecast between 2.5 million and 3 million jobs being added to U.S. payrolls in 2011, about triple the gains likely to recorded in 2010 and what would be the best one-year jump since the white hot labor market of 1999.

That wouldn't be enough to climb out of the 8-million job crater created by the Great Recession and won't bring down the unemployment rate by a significant amount. An improved job market could even bring a short-term rise in the jobless rate, as those discouraged from job-hunting resume looking for work and are once again counted as unemployed.

But the forecasted hiring boom could get the economy back into gear and provide real relief for many Americans.

Those projecting better hiring in 2010 point to a number of factors. Among them, job openings by employers rose 17% from June to October, the most recent reading available from the Labor Department, and are up by about a third compared to a year earlier.

And there has been a downward trend in newly laid-off workers filing for initial jobless claims, which fell below 400,000 in the most recent reading for the first time since the summer of 2008. That might have been distorted by the holiday season and bad weather, but the four-week average is also at a two-plus year low.

On the business front, capital expenditures -- typically followed by expansion and hiring -- have been on the rise.

"Forecasters generally underestimate the strength of a recovery once it is underway," said Bill Cheney, chief economist for Manulife Asset Management. He's forecasting be 2.5 million to 3 million new jobs this year.

Read more at http://cnnmoney.mobi/primary/_yK98xL-iXDsVuh2J6

Those collecting unemployment benefits are noticing a $25 decrease in their check

If you are actively receiving unemployment benefits or have been affected by the slow action of Congress to extend unemployment insurance benefits, you may have recently noticed that the extra $25 per check is no longer available.  This program was called the FAC (Federal Additional Compensation) and was included in the Recovery Act.  This added benefit was not renewed in the tax cut bill which also extends unemployment benefit for 13 months.  The latest extension does not reauthorize the full force of ARRA and this, sadly, is a consequence. 

This is a question that I have received by email from readers and after researching the matter it seemed appropriate to share with everyone.  The Extended Benefits package from the Recovery Act is the only part of the stimulus that still remains.  The Extended Benefits provision allows for persons to continue to receive unemployment assistance after they have exhausted the maximum amount of unemployment tiers (depending on their state's) unemployment rate.

Warm wishes to the readers and contributors of this blog.   Your continued input has helped unite and provide valuable information to all of the unemployed unable to find work this year.  Just because Congress has abandoned the needs of the unemployed, everyone has proven to stand by each other even though we all know it's bitter cold, gas prices are rising, the economy is getting better for some, and there's not enough hands reaching out to lift people up. 

This Christmas this blog wishes that the government sees the needs for more hands up and doesn't look upon those as just having a hand out.  It's the wish that the relentless pursuit of the 99er movement continues on to other issues relating to employment issues as more and more jobless gain employment.  It doesn't have to all just end - there's always a cause.  Let's start with employer discrimination from hiring unemployed workers.

Can we raise the federal minimum wage yet?  What... they got a tax cut that will cost everyone who is re-entering the job market close to $500 billion in revenue that could have been used to pay down the debt.

Will Obama Notice 11th Hr Unemployment "99er" Bill?

Will Obama Notice 11th Hr Unemployment "99er" Bill?

Tax cuts and unemployment insurance reauthorization become law [video] - National Political Buzz | Examiner.com

Tax cuts and unemployment insurance reauthorization become law [video] - National Political Buzz | Examiner.com

Obama says no tax cuts for the rich without an extension of jobless benefits - National Political Buzz | Examiner.com

Obama says no tax cuts for the rich without an extension of jobless benefits - National Political Buzz | Examiner.com