Labor

November 10, 2009 -- To reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in stand-alone or same-day surgical centers, the HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced the availability of up to $9 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to state survey agencies in 43 states. HAIs are infections some patients acquire when they are in a health care setting such as a hospital or outpatient clinic.    » read more »

Announces Obama Administration endorsement of Healthy Families Act

11/10/2009 -- WASHINGTON — Deputy Secretary of Labor Seth Harris today testified before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee on Children and Families regarding workplace flexibility and paid leave in the context of the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic. Harris expressed the administration's strong support for the Healthy Families Act as a way to provide workplace flexibilities and increased economic security.    » read more »

November 10, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- United States Senator Roland W. Burris today announced that $98,351.00 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are being allocated to the State of Illinois to combat and reduce health care associated infections (HAIs). HAIs are infections some patients acquire when they are in a health care setting such as a hospital or outpatient clinic.

Senator Burris and the Democratic-led Congress passed the 2009 American Reinvestment and Recovery Act that was signed into law by President Obama in February.    » read more »

11/10/09 -- Washington, D.C. – Congressman Ron Klein (FL-22) and Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), a senior member and former Chairman of the Small Business Committee, today announced their introduction of a bill to support small businesses that employ military reservists.

The Small Business and Military Family Assistance Act of 2009 will provide tax incentives for small business employers who make up the salary difference for their reservist employees while they’re serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. While many large businesses can afford to supplement the lower wages reservists earn while in active duty, small business owners struggle to offer the same service.    » read more »

Executive Order: Employment of Veterans in the Federal Government

November 9, 2009 -- By the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 301 of title 3 of the United States Code, I hereby order as follows:    » read more »

Initiative Would Transform Federal Government into Model of Veterans Employment

November 09, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Today, the White House announced the launch of an initiative that is designed to transform the federal government into the model employer of America’s veterans. This evening, President Obama will be joined by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry to sign an Executive Order on the Employment of Veterans in the federal government, which establishes the Veterans Employment Initiative for the Executive Branch.    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that application requirements for the final $11.5 billion in State Fiscal Stabilization Funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 are now available. In exchange for this unprecedented funding boost, the department is asking states to provide some basic information on teacher distribution, the collection and use of data, standards and assessments, and support for struggling schools.    » read more »

Outlines details to guide efforts toward making the health system better for patients and physicians

Nov. 9, 2009 -- HOUSTON – The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates today voted on health system reform policies, reaffirming the AMA’s commitment to health system reform. The AMA's House of Delegates is the nation's broadest, most inclusive assembly of physicians and medical students. Delegates representing every state and medical specialty debate and vote on behalf of their physician peers.    » read more »

House Delivers On Election Promise. Now Is Time For Senate To Act

November 9, 2009 -- The following is the statement of Anna Burger, Chair, Change To Win, on the passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

After generations of struggle and decades of delay, the U.S House of Representatives had the courage to act---and, to pass historic reform legislation to assure every American, regardless of age or income, access to high quality, affordable health care. The House’s action this November is why working men and women turned out at the polls last November. Health care is a key economic concern of working families—and, national health care reform is key to economic recovery and security for working families.    » read more »

Missouri will use $146 million in federal Recovery Act funds and $120 million in state funds on work to address aging wastewater and drinking water infrastructure

November 9, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Governor Jay Nixon visited construction sites in Liberty and Springfield today to announce the Work Now initiative, which commits more than $260 million in federal and state funds to wastewater and drinking water construction projects in communities across Missouri. Gov. Nixon approved 60 of these drinking water and wastewater projects as appropriate for funding in letters to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.    » read more »

Community Development Finance Corporation to launch a Surety Bond Guarantee Program

BOSTON – Monday, November 09, 2009 – Delivering on the themes of the Patrick-Murray Administration’s Economic Summit held in October, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick today announced that the Administration is partnering with the Massachusetts Community Development Finance Corporation (CDFC) to help small, minority- and women-owned businesses and contractors bid on and participate in federal stimulus-funded construction projects.    » read more »

November 09, 2009 -- DES MOINES—The State of Iowa and AFSCME/Iowa Council 61 have reached an Understanding to protect 479 AFSCME state jobs that are targeted for layoffs pursuant to Governor Chet Culver’s 10 percent across the board budget cuts mandated by Executive Order 19. The 479 positions include front line correctional officers, parole probation officers and other support positions that help to provide for our public safety.

This Understanding between the State of Iowa, Executive Branch and AFSCME/Iowa Council 61 leadership will now be presented to the entire AFSCME membership for approval. The terms of the agreement will not be implemented unless and until approved by a majority vote of the membership.

This Understanding involves the following:    » read more »

11/09/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued a statement after Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner rejected a second request by the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Bureau to increase the Worker’s Compensation Claims Cost Benchmark which would have negatively affected California’s businesses and employers as the state works to rebuild its economy:    » read more »

11/09/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement applauding Pfizer’s announcement to include California in its global research and development (R&D) network:

“California has always been a leader in biotech research and innovation and Pfizer’s announcement that it will establish California as one the five hubs of its worldwide R&D network is fantastic news for our state. Today’s announcement will not only ensure that our state continues as a leader in this growing field, but it will also help stimulate our economy and save and create jobs when we need them most. With the best workforce and most innovative spirit, California continues to be the best place in the world to do business.”    » read more »

Executive Order Makes California Eligible for Millions of Dollars in Federal Head Start Funds

11/09/2009 -- Building on his commitment to both high-quality early childhood education and bringing available American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funding to California, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued Executive Order S-23-09 establishing the California State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care. This is the first step in making California eligible to compete for a share of $100 million in federal Head Start funds available through President Obama’s Recovery Act.    » read more »