Re: New federal benefits legislation for 2010? --Please use this thread for all discussion

[daytonaman]

For those of you who dont subscribe :

Here we are again - the deadline is approaching for the UI and COBRA programs to end, and Congress has yet to fully reauthorize the program. After the success in the Senate a few weeks ago, where they extended the filing deadline of the program through the end of the year, we have experienced some setbacks and are, again, hoping to pass another 30 day extension of the filing deadline.

Here is what happened: although the Senate passed a year-long extension of the filing deadline, it did so as part of a larger bill containing "tax extenders," provisions of the tax code that lapsed at the end of the last year that the Senate wanted to extend into 2010. The problem is that those extenders were offset with revenue raising measures that the House had already set aside for the health care bill. So the House could not pass the Senate version of the bill, and late last week, passed another 30 day extension of the filing deadline of the UI and COBRA programs so they wouldn't lapse. The plan is to then deal with the longer extension of the filing deadline once the Health Care bill fully clears Congress.

The Senate is planning to spend virtually the whole week working on Health Care - although the House passed the Senate bill last night, they are now turning to some "fixes" the House has passed in addition to the bill, and hoping to do it in the context of the Budget. Unfortunately, this will take up virtually all of the floor time this week and then both Houses are on recess until April 12. Thus, the Senate HAS to pass the 30 day extension of the filing deadline via "unanimous consent" which doesn't mean that everyone in the Senate needs to vote for the bill, but that everyone in the Senate needs to agree that it should have a vote. ONE Senator can hold up the whole process - that's what we saw Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky do a few weeks ago. Senator Reid of Nevada tried to move the extension last Friday, but was blocked by Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona who stated that because not all Republicans were on the floor, he would not agree to the vote. He expressed optimism that the bill would pass this week and we need your help to make that happen.

We cannot afford to let one rogue senator block this bill - the program lapsed just for a short time a few weeks ago and states were able to keep things up and running. But because of the Congressional recess, if the programs aren't reauthorized THIS WEEK, they will lapse for at least a week and the state agencies will not be able to keep things running as smoothly this time. That will lead to delays in people getting their checks.

All of you should contact your Senators and DEMAND that they extend the filing deadline of UI and COBRA this week so that the programs don't lapse. But in particular, if your Senators are Republicans, it is especially important that you contact them and make it clear to them that they cannot play games with this program and with your lives.

Visit our new action alert to get in touch with them, and have your friends and families do the same - the time is NOW - you must act so that the Senate knows that it too, must act NOW.

What does this mean for you?
-This new 30 day extension of the filing deadline does not add additional weeks of benefits to the UI program
-This new 30 day extension of the filing deadline will permit individuals that exhaust regular state benefits after March 28, 2010 to move on and collect federal benefits
-This new 30 day extension of the filing deadline will permit individuals that exhaust a tier of federal benefits after April 4, 2010 to move to the next tier of federal benefits already in law

I received the same e-mail from nelp, I followed the action alert, and edited it a bit:

I am writing to urge you to take action THIS WEEK on renewing federal unemployment benefit extensions, including the Emergency Unemployment Compensation program and full federal funding of Extended Benefits, as well as the $25 per week Federal Additional Compensation supplement and the 65% 15-month COBRA subsidy. While the House has taken the first step in passing a bill extending these provisions for an additional 30-days, I am urging you to act swiftly to pass the 30 day extension of the filing deadline via unanimous consent. Although federal extensions are needed through the end of the year, this additional stop-gap measure will ensure that families don't face gaps in their benefits and state agencies don't incur huge administrative costs when the program faces disruption.

In addition to extending the filing deadlines, You must not forget the long term Unemployed. At the end of March, 2.1 Million Americans & Families will exhaust the safety net of Unemployment compensation completely. Millions will be forced through no fault of there own, to face life on the street.I personally exhausted tier V on March 1, 2010. I have no Income, I have applied for college,and at 44 years old it is next to impossible to find a job with 30 years experience and no degree.I urge you to include a tier V emergency benefit extension before the upcoming senate recess.

It's critical that these measures are reauthorized this week, before you go into recess and before state agencies begin notifying workers that their benefits will phase out at the end of the month. Please, act now and make sure that millions do not face continuing joblessness coupled with an end to benefits that have kept us afloat so far.

[daytonaman]

7.5 Million People losing Unemployment, A Nationwide March for Tier V

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/vnn/1658124441.html

I have just created a article to obtain more support for Unemployment extensions, Jobs, tier V in the Daytona Beach area

http://dirtonabeach.com/archives/119

Also, I am watching the Washington Journal, and Senator Richard Burr ( R) North Carolina just mentioned the Unemployment Extension that will be on the Senate Floor this week, he stated the " The Money for the Unemployed was spent offsetting the Health Care Bill, there is no money for the Unemployment extension"
Again, Congress wants to throw us to the dogs

[daytonaman]

LeMiuex Doesn\'t want to extend benefits,but he wants congress to lose the Luxurious health benefits, he said that if Americans can\'t have the health care we have now, then I submit amendment to put Congress on Medicare, it it\'s good enough for 50 million Americans, it\'s good enough for Congress. He further stated that Medicare would surely be fixed immediately if congress was using it.

I was wrong about Senator LeMieux, I called both Bill Nelson, & George LeMieux\'s offices today,
Bill Nelsons office said:
March 24 - 1:10pm, Senator Bill Nelson\'s office, Quote from Staff \" The Senator Has not mentioned anything about Tier V, he is aware of the need to extend the filing deadlines\" I expressed the severe need for the Tier V for the many whom have exhausted all unemployment benefits, he stated that he will pass the message along to the senator.

George LeMieux\'s Office: Said that he is aware of the situation, but hasn\'t mentioned anything recently, He will pass my message along

To all the members of this Forum, the filing deadline is April 5, no new extensions as of yet, Tier V MUST be implemented before the recess along with an extension of the deadlines, otherwise the AWI will shut down the systems, The Spring recess starts Officially, Monday March 29, Unofficially Friday March 26, Call, Call, Fax, E-mail and Call some more! Many Senate offices have said the more they hear from us the quicker it will happen. Have we all forgotten what happened last November, 6 week delay in benefit payments?

Bill Nelsons Office - 202-224-5274

George LeMieux - 202 -224-3041

[Sheila]

7.5 Million People losing Unemployment, A Nationwide March for Tier V

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/vnn/1658124441.html

I have just created a article to obtain more support for Unemployment extensions, Jobs, tier V in the Daytona Beach area

http://dirtonabeach.com/archives/119

Also, I am watching the Washington Journal, and Senator Richard Burr ( R) North Carolina just mentioned the Unemployment Extension that will be on the Senate Floor this week, he stated the " The Money for the Unemployed was spent offsetting the Health Care Bill, there is no money for the Unemployment extension"
Again, Congress wants to throw us to the dogs

Thank you for the info. Yes the government and media wants to pretend we don't exist. Ocala's unemployment is at 15.4% (it's actually much higher)..Businesses tell us they get 200 applicants for every job opening. It's real bad here. Foreclosure city.

[daytonaman]

7.5 Million People losing Unemployment, A Nationwide March for Tier V

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/vnn/1658124441.html

I have just created a article to obtain more support for Unemployment extensions, Jobs, tier V in the Daytona Beach area

http://dirtonabeach.com/archives/119

Also, I am watching the Washington Journal, and Senator Richard Burr ( R) North Carolina just mentioned the Unemployment Extension that will be on the Senate Floor this week, he stated the " The Money for the Unemployed was spent offsetting the Health Care Bill, there is no money for the Unemployment extension"
Again, Congress wants to throw us to the dogs

Thank you for the info. Yes the government and media wants to pretend we don't exist. Ocala's unemployment is at 15.4% (it's actually much higher)..Businesses tell us they get 200 applicants for every job opening. It's real bad here. Foreclosure city.

I agree, we the people need to make sure they NEVER FORGET we are here, and we demand results!, We need JOBS, and until these job's bills have time to work, we demand the safety net of Unemployment benefits, both for the newly unemployed and the long term unemployed!

[sc4ram]

I think Jimbo has nailed the politics of this ............

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_local_blogonomics/2010/03/have-extended-jobless-benefits-added-to-unemployment-rate.html

[daytonaman]

I think Jimbo has nailed the politics of this ............

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_local_blogonomics/2010/03/have-extended-jobless-benefits-added-to-unemployment-rate.html

Good Article, Funny how large companies like JP Morgan can say it's EASY to get a job, we just don't want it because Unemployment is available to us.

How can it be even remotely close to easy to get a job with these numbers, this is from the Employ Florida Market place labor market stats, for only 2 counties in Florida,
As Of March 23, 2010
Marion County Job Openings = 2,700
Marion County Applicants = 51, 215

Volusia County Job Openings = 3,389
Volusia County Applicants = 55,334

http://www.employflorida.com/vosnet/lmi/area/areasummary.aspx?session=areadetail&geo=1204000083

[GonzoFL]

It would be worthy of J P Morgan to note, that the unemployed also pay taxes. Taxes that provided their sorry ass's with $25 billion dollars of bail out monies. Now they want to throw stones at us? That by extending UC benefits the government has made us lazy and to picky on the type of jobs we will accept? These people are bandits without a gun,criminals within the highest meaning of the word. They have no standing to be critical of us and they can take their analysis and stick up their butts.

[daytonaman]

http://uspoverty.change.org/petitions/view/open_letter_to_congress_and_the_president_from_the_unemployed

Could it be true, Additional Weeks on the way? This posted today March 24

http://www.rwbpress.com/2010/03/24/is-an-unemployment-extension-on-the-way-for-those-whose-benefits-expired/

[Sheila]

[quote="daytonaman"]

http://www.employflorida.com/vosnet/lmi/area/areasummary.aspx?session=areadetail&geo=1204000083

Good link, thanks for that. They do have the hourly wage wrong however. The average person in Marion county makes between 8 and 12 an hour. Most of the jobs posted only pay minimum wage to 8 an hour. We have a lot of doctors here due to the retirees to the west, and of course horse farm owners. This makes our average wage look much higher than it is. I guess none of that matters now since there are no jobs.

[Jeff]

It would be worthy of J P Morgan to note, that the unemployed also pay taxes. Taxes that provided their sorry ass's with $25 billion dollars of bail out monies. Now they want to throw stones at us? That by extending UC benefits the government has made us lazy and to picky on the type of jobs we will accept? These people are bandits without a gun,criminals within the highest meaning of the word. They have no standing to be critical of us and they can take their analysis and stick up their butts.

Ditto that Gonzo. It's the old anti welfare argument(generational welfare), except these aren't good times and we have actually supported ourselves and paid taxes our entire lives. Unbelievable gall.

[daytonaman]

The House passed another jobs bill yesterday, It's headed for the senate today, CALL AND DEMAND TIER V be added to the bill

The Health Care bill was changed in the Senate yesterday, so it heads back to the House, Today the 1st bill they NEED to be discussing is the Unemployment Extensions and Tier V

I have started following the senate today, they are STILL voting on some amendments to the health care bill, however Harry Reid stated at the opening of the day that the motions to extend provisions that will expire over the spring break will be addressed today

In an attempt to gather more support for extensions and tier V, I contacted the Coalition for the homeless to ask for support, letting them know what they are up against:

The National Coalition for the Homeless has called on Congress before to help stop homelessness in the country, I e-mailed them this morning asking for support in the need for Unemployment Extensions and Additional weeks and help for the long term unemployed, I informed them that 2.1 million long term unemployed will be facing homelessness this month, and I also mentioned the 7.5 million number if the filing deadlines are not extended. The more of us who contact them, the quicker they will understand what they will be facing in the coming weeks if congress doesn't act this week.

e-mail them here:

info@nationalhomeless.org.

[daytonaman]

After reading through this article, I am again disgusted with one of our own Senators. LeMieux claims that the unemployment situation is not eligible for Emergency Legislation:

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/88713-senate-dems-to-face-a-second-showdown-on-jobless-benefits

Senator LeMieux's phone number: 202-224-3041

3:30pm, The Senate is debating the extensions, and this article just posted regarding the issue:

Make your comments known on this serious issue!
http://worldnewsvine.com/2010/03/final-vote-on-senate-fixes-bill-next-up-continuing-extension-act-of-2010/comment-page-1/#comment-1320

[daytonaman]

A republican Senator from Oklahoma, Coburn, just objected to extending Unemplyment & Cobra, why because it's not paid for!!

Was the Aid to Haiti paid for, was the Aid to Chile paid for? Have these bogus wars in the last 10 years been paid for? HELL NO

New Report on the extensions bill, 6:16pm EDT, Mar 25
http://www.newson6.com/global/story.asp?s=12204961

I think this guy took the Bunning course on "How to Screw the unemployed"

[Jeff]

A republican Senator from Oklahoma, Coburn, just objected to extending Unemplyment & Cobra, why because it's not paid for!!

Was the Aid to Haiti paid for, was the Aid to Chile paid for? Have these bogus wars in the last 10 years been paid for? HELL NO

New Report on the extensions bill, 6:16pm EDT, Mar 25
http://www.newson6.com/global/story.asp?s=12204961

I think this guy took the Bunning course on "How to Screw the unemployed"

I agree. They ought to just pass it and go. But can't the same be said of not just one
Democrat, but all of them when they all voted down a Republican amendment to pay for it out of excess stimulus funds? Why must the Democrats have everything their way, right or wrong, prudent or reckless...and anything anyone else does or wants otherwise is called obstruction? That said, If the Dems don't want to use stimulus funds, the Repubs ought to just go ahead and vote for the Dems bill rather than play games with unemployed Americans lives and peace of mind. Another thing I don't understand is why they didn't add another Tier of benefits to this bill while it has all the attention and support of sixteen million unemployed Americans. There are no jobs in my neck of the woods.

[cantfindajob]

weve been on this road before...more weeks added to T3 is the best solution(since all states did not get T4) I claim Monday and done....I'm already living with kind people..house lost, belongings sold,etc. I can't wait another 6 weeks for the state UE systems to catch up with the Feds...which is what would happen with a T5...I'm so totally discouraged by the priorities that this elected body has chose.. the Pres has his agenda from day 1 (health care) which is the same agenda B.Clinton had and failed at achieving...so after 8 years of Buschenomics the Dems come up with the 12 year old plan from the Clinton days....fuck if I could go back to 12 years ago I'd have plenty of money and no grey hair...so now they all pat themselves on the back and say great JOB we passed HCR....while a few Senators just writhe in pain since they are in tune with the real world....TY Sen Bernie Sanders VT for stepping up to the plate for us with apparently no voice...me

[cantfindajob]

PS Sen Lemiux FL is completely lost, just an appointed mouthpiece and a free vote for the Repub party...Thx to Suntan Charlie....who now surprisingly may want to run as an independent to distance himself from the Bunnings of the world... pretty funny how these guys make appointments for the party but then want to jump ship when things get tough...and for the most part the american voter does not remember any of this if they ever knew about it in the first place...oh its voting day i must go vote...nice name I'll pick him/her...and we get this shit...Haiiti $$$$ no prob, Chile$$$$ no prob, world $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$no prob, AMERICAN UNEMPLOYED- Fuck Off find a job, its not an emergency....walk in my shoes fuckers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it is an emergency......sorry for going off but this just plain sucks...good luck to all...CFAJ

[Sheila]

PS Sen Lemiux FL is completely lost, just an appointed mouthpiece and a free vote for the Repub party...Thx to Suntan Charlie....who now surprisingly may want to run as an independent to distance himself from the Bunnings of the world... pretty funny how these guys make appointments for the party but then want to jump ship when things get tough...and for the most part the american voter does not remember any of this if they ever knew about it in the first place...oh its voting day i must go vote...nice name I'll pick him/her...and we get this shit...Haiiti $$$$ no prob, Chile$$$$ no prob, world $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$no prob, AMERICAN UNEMPLOYED- Fuck Off find a job, its not an emergency....walk in my shoes fuckers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it is an emergency......sorry for going off but this just plain sucks...good luck to all...CFAJ

I understand your frustrations. I just wanted to let you know that. The government is really letting their people down, their WORKING people. The backbone of America. It is very disheartening. I too ran out of tier IV this month and feel the government has left me to hang. We need to stick together. I have a few interviews next week, however, if I get a job, I am NOT going to forget what the government is doing. They don't seem to realize the CRISIS that is going on in the U.S.A.

[grandmom49]

The media continues to make it seem like they are adding more weeks
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1975474,00.html?xid=newsletter-daily

[connorsgp]

looks like the present extension will expire on apr 5 and the senate is back in session on apr 12...as usual the us senate, and i mean both parties, have totally disregarded those of us who have worked all of our lives now to be beholded to some pompous bastard for political purposes. I'm quite sure that the extension till dec, 2010 will survive, but these "cost consious" self serving public servants cause additional untold grief and $$$ just playing games... it's sickening to watch

[daytonaman]

http://washingtonindependent.com/80641/cloture-vote-on-unemployment-extension-just-17-days-away

We all need to go to our local Senators & Congressman's offices in the next two weeks an make our voices heard LOUDLY, LeMiuex & Nelson will be in Florida for the recess, as well as the congressman for each district.

[studioWI]

http://washingtonindependent.com/80641/cloture-vote-on-unemployment-extension-just-17-days-away

We all need to go to our local Senators & Congressman's offices in the next two weeks an make our voices heard LOUDLY, LeMiuex & Nelson will be in Florida for the recess, as well as the congressman for each district.

I know how to be loud, but i guess my interpretation of LOUD is vastly different than most.
I just think we need to be more proactive in our dealings with the grand-standers/loudmouths.....

Phone calls/faxes/emails don't seem to carry much weight. We, the unemployed, have been the beneficiaries of their grand-standing....why shouldn't they be held to the same standard?

[grandmom49]

I found this to be a very well written editorial
http://worldnewsvine.com/2010/03/unemployment-extensions-revisited-how-to-debunk-gop-fear-mongering/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[daytonaman]

This video has a face behind the voice:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrVW2j0LG98&feature=youtu.be

This guy says it like it is, with our governments failure to act.

[SaraJ]

Good read for the unemployed

http://www.prlog.org/10595073-washington-elitists-ignore-jobless-usa-what-part-of-the-fierce-urgency-of-now-dont-they-get.html

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