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

[Hoppy]

Unemployment still grows and this shit just kills me -

"As a final matter, many people are rightly asking if the Senate is considering adding more weeks (ie, a 5th tier) of benefits to the EUC program. The short answer is not at this time. Extending the programs themselves through the end of the year (which currently provide for up to 99 weeks of benefits in many states) is the first priority and because of the high cost, not a simple task. As much as we all know that more weeks are needed because of the severity of the recession, it is simply infeasible to consider adding more weeks at the present time."

Hi UIO, you quoted that statement but didn't say WHO said it? Where did it come from? Thanks.

[Unemployed In Orlando]

Its at the bottom of the NELP email above

[Jeff]

Unemployment still grows and this shit just kills me -

"As a final matter, many people are rightly asking if the Senate is considering adding more weeks (ie, a 5th tier) of benefits to the EUC program. The short answer is not at this time. Extending the programs themselves through the end of the year (which currently provide for up to 99 weeks of benefits in many states) is the first priority and because of the high cost, not a simple task. As much as we all know that more weeks are needed because of the severity of the recession, it is simply infeasible to consider adding more weeks at the present time."

You got that right. If the unemployment rate is growing, how is it not feasable to help the unemployed? With the difficulty of finding a job becoming even harder, one would think that helping the unemployed would be all the more necessary.

[sc4ram]

http://insurancenewsnet.com/article.aspx?id=155401&type=newswires

[Jeff]

Hi Jeff-

It would be nice if everyone simply declared there would be another extension , voted it in and went home.

There are a lot of political pressures facing the Congress at the moment, and many of the members are spooked by last week's election and are acting even more irradically than usual. Everybody seems to be discovering budget sobriety this week (and in the process crushing the remainder of my 401K plan by trying to run Ben Bernake out of town) .

There is a vocal faction out there that will object to another extension of unemployment benefits (not out of meaness but out of frustration by the the 85% + of the workforce that are still working and resent having to cover for their former co-workers while they are collecting unemployment) . That consituentcy will have to be serviced by some members of Congress, thus no matter what anybody up there says, a extension will take a while. (unless there is a major turnaround in the economy, I think we will get a extension eventually, its a hard thing to vote against. The administration also runs the risk of sending mixed messages, they would like to say the economy is improving but cant go on too many times advocating unemployment extensions in the same breath. (it looks inconsistent at best) .

Before we nominate our right honorable friends in the Democratic Party for the good citizenship award, have a look at the article below. The Hon. Sen. Majority Leader (Sen Reid D-Nev) has discovered fiscal responsibility, it looks good on the surface, he wants to exempt Unemployment extensions from proposed new tighter budgeting rules (good for us) . Im afraid the skeptic in me sees a "I'll run up the deficit for my stuff but not for your stuff" battle brewing, I think the Repubs are prudent to suspect a tax increase play in the works.

Lets face it, the economic outlook is bleak at the moment, in my view the only thing proven to stimulate economic activity in the last 20 years has been tax reductions , and unfortunately as of next year the Bush tax cuts currently in force will revert back to previous rates (in my view the economy will see this as a tax increase having the undesired effect of slowing economic activity) . Yes I know we have been promised that everyone under $250K/yr wont get a tax increase. But Im afraid I havent seen the legislation to carry that out being written. I think Leader Reid knows this and is trying to set the landscape to force some tax increases if his vision of new budgeting rules come to pass.

Lets hope what ever sausage comes out of this process includes a UC extension .


http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jan/25/democrats-look-to-new-budget-rules-to-tame-deficit/

Well said sc4ram. Last night Obama promised everything to everyone (except the wealthiest of course). But no mention of unemployment insurance for the long term unemployed. No Tiers on the radar. Kinda makes me feel like a beggar in a foreign land. I never realized I was such a stranger. What an awfull job market. In 2007 when I lost my regular job, I thought the job situation was bad. Picked up a part time job, worked it till 2009. It ended and the job situation was even worse. Now it's 2010 and the jobs are slimmer still. But one can always hope.

[nancym]

HEY! Check this out--NELP heard us and responds:

http://unemployedworkers.org/sites/unemployedworkers/index.php/content/blog


They apologize for sounding like they've left out the long termers and pledge to work for all of us.

[Unemployed In Orlando]

HEY! Check this out--NELP heard us and responds:

http://unemployedworkers.org/sites/unemployedworkers/index.php/content/blog


They apologize for sounding like they've left out the long termers and pledge to work for all of us.

Excellent! Great post Nancy ty

[Jeff]

HEY! Check this out--NELP heard us and responds:

http://unemployedworkers.org/sites/unemployedworkers/index.php/content/blog


They apologize for sounding like they've left out the long termers and pledge to work for all of us.

Excellent! Great post Nancy ty

Roger that. Ditto, Nancy.

[sc4ram]

http://www.rwbpress.com/2010/01/29/the-unemployment-benefits-extension-problem-will-the-jobs-bill-work-before-benefits-expire/

[nancym]

Obama Budget Includes 7-Month Extension of Unemployment Benefits

"A Senate Democratic aide said Tuesday that the upper chamber, while expected to release the details of its jobs bill later this week, also intends to offer the UI and COBRA proposals as separate legislation. No word yet when that bill will surface."

http://washingtonindependent.com/75555/obama-budget-includes-7-month-extension-of-unemployment-benefits

(Of course this still doesn't distinguish an expansion from an extension of deadlines, but to me it's actually good news of the separation of legislation.)

To my knowledge no one in the Senate has introduced legislation similar to HR 2847, and even that does nothing to give any added weeks to those exhausting Tier 3 and 4. THIS is the time, while the legislation is not yet written, or hopefully while someone may be crafting legislation, to put in our two cents worth with Congressmen and Congresswomen and make it very clear to them that the current House bill will leave over a million (and that's just a starting point) without any means to survive by late February, and what are they doing about it! Otherwise, a thoughtless duplicate of the House provisions will be the Senate's answer and it will be too late later on to get major changes in whatever bill they come up with.

[sc4ram]

Good catch Nancy-

This article seems to be more specific, it says in the last paragraph on the first page, "Senators also are considering extending unemployment payments for those whose benefits have run out,"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/02/AR2010020203154.html

[sc4ram]

Agency: Labor

Highlights: The Labor Department would see a major drop in spending for its unemployment insurance programs. That's because the administration forecasts an economic rebound and expects fewer people to claim unemployment benefits.

At the same time, the budget would boost funds to make the agency's job training programs more effective and find better ways to help young workers find jobs.

The White House projects a savings of about $4 billion over 10 years by cracking down on states that make unauthorized unemployment insurance payments. It also projects saving $300 million over the next decade by targeting employers who evade unemployment taxes.

The new crackdown will focus on employers who misclassify workers as independent contractors to avoid paying taxes. The department will identify certain industries where it believes worker misclassification is rampant and plans to increase audits to make sure taxes are being paid.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/01/AR2010020101531_5.html

[nancym]

Finally! This abuse of existing law has been going on for decades with no attempts at enforcement of laws that prohibit contract arrangements when people go to work at the same time, the same place, have their own desk, etc., for years on end, and they work alongside FT employees with benefits. The only benefit is to these employers who know they can skirt the law to avoid paying employee taxes and other benefits. This is common in my field; it's understandable if the work is temporary, or if the work is done from someone's home office. But one of the main reasons the Freelancers Union came into being was because of this kind of abuse of power.

[nancym]

Good catch Nancy-

This article seems to be more specific, it says in the last paragraph on the first page, "Senators also are considering extending unemployment payments for those whose benefits have run out,"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/02/AR2010020203154.html

That's a good catch too. But I hope it means what it sounds like. Sometimes we hang on the exact words of some reporter, who it turns out later was simply sloppy with his or her grammar, and what was actually meant was "for those whose benefits will have run out by Feb 28."

[Jeff]

A vote as early as Monday on a jobs bill which includes an unemployment extension. Did'nt see anything about another Tier though.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2010/02/democrats-inch-closer-to-jobs.html?wpisrc=nl_pmpolitics

[sc4ram]

"President Barack Obama and congressional leaders are discussing another extension of benefits, but it is unclear if and when that will happen. A jobs bill in the House of Representatives includes a provision to do so, but no similar proposal is before the Senate".

http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/02/04/copy/job_benefits.ART_ART_02-04-10_B1_O5GGAJB.html?adsec=politics&sid=101

[sc4ram]

"The AARP is calling on Congress to lend support to older Americans in any job relief package it passes, including extension of unemployment and health insurance benefits."

http://www.financial-planning.com/news/AARP-Obama-unemployment-2665739-1.html

[sc4ram]

Interesting on how all of these press reports skirt the issue of a new tier............

"The Senate approved a measure that extended benefits from 79 to 99 weeks in a unanimous vote last year, but GOP lawmakers have not yet said whether they will continue to support the benefits, particularly if they are included in a larger jobs package. And some Democrats favor extending the benefits only temporarily, while another bloc wants an extension that would last the rest of the year."



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/08/AR2010020803657.html

[Jeff]

Interesting on how all of these press reports skirt the issue of a new tier............

"The Senate approved a measure that extended benefits from 79 to 99 weeks in a unanimous vote last year, but GOP lawmakers have not yet said whether they will continue to support the benefits, particularly if they are included in a larger jobs package. And some Democrats favor extending the benefits only temporarily, while another bloc wants an extension that would last the rest of the year."



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/08/AR2010020803657.html

Discouraging to see no mention of another Tier. But even if there were one, it would mean nothing if they don't extend the cutoff date. Don't they have to do that this week to avoid a huge mess?

[Unemployed In Orlando]

Todays NELP email for those who dont subscribe, also make sure you click the blue HERE button in the message to take part

Dear Friends-
Below is the link to the landing page for the Jobs for America Now National Call in Day which will take place on Wednesday, Feb 10 2010.

Everyone is feeling the pinch. If Congress doesn't provide fiscal relief to states who are experiencing greater demands for services and reduced revenue, jobs will continue to be cut. At the same time, millions of people out of work could lose benefits and hundreds of thousands of related jobs could be lost.

Tell Congress to get states and local governments the relief they need and don't let unemployment benefits expire on February 28. Click HERE to take part in a National Day of Action organized by Jobs for America Now. Let's send a united message to Congress that they must act now!

We sincerely appreciate all of your efforts and support!

Your friends at unemployedworkers.org,

[nancym]

Discouraging to see no mention of another Tier. But even if there were one, it would mean nothing if they don't extend the cutoff date. Don't they have to do that this week to avoid a huge mess?

Technically and legally they have to do that before Feb 28, or back-date a bill to Feb 28 in order to not have a huge mess with those running out of regular benefits, Tier 1, or Tier 2 (over a million jobless). But pragmatically speaking, NELP has recommended a deadline for Congress for Feb 12; that's because apparently the states have to send out cutoff notices to everyone whose benefits will end in two weeks, and it could affect programming to take care of ongoing benefits, most likely resulting in who knows how long a delay, depending on the state. Historically, Congress seems to be blind to the needs of those state re-programming issues.

But there will be another even bigger mess involving the million plus who will be running out of Tier 3 and Tier 4 by the end of March or sooner, with seemingly no hope of any future benefits, the way things are going.

[Jeff]

The storms kept them from working yesterday, probably tomorrow too. They're in session today on cspan2.

[Sheila]

Let's just hope FLORIDA doesn't just get rid of one extension and replace it with a new one like they did before. I know people who had to drop out of school because of that. There are people who lost 26 fulls weeks. Florida is real good at shorting people's benefits, not extending them. Such a shame.

[connorsgp]

From what I'm hearing from NPR it looks like there will be a bi-partisan bill that includes the EUC extension; however. only 3 months on the extension till the end of May.

[daytonaman]

Extended Unemployment Insurance & Health care included in Bill

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/statement-press-secretary-release-draft-bipartisan-senate-jobs-bill

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