Labor

November 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), a senior member and former Chairman of the Small Business Committee, and Congressman Ron Klein (D-Fla.) 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 »

Homebuyers’ Tax Credit and Business Tax Relief to Stimulate Local Economy; H.R. 3548 was passed by the House Thursday and signed into law by President Obama Friday

November 9, 2009 -- (Washington, DC) - Late last week, Congressman Baron Hill voted to stimulate the local economy and provide stability to American families hit hardest by the recession by extending unemployment benefits, the homebuyers’ tax credit, and tax relief for military families and businesses. The Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act, H.R. 3548, will provide immediate assistance, extending relief to millions of workers, families, and businesses nationwide. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives on Thursday, November 5, 2009, and signed into law the next day by President Obama.    » read more »

11/09/09 -- Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL) today released the following statement in response to this morning’s employment report which showed that the United States lost 190,000 jobs in October, raising the unemployment rate to 10.2 percent.

“While the rate of jobs lost has continued to decline as a result of President Obama’s economic recovery package, unemployed workers are not in the mood for moral victories. The American people don’t care about the GDP, they need a J-O-B. Congress must move swiftly to pass the surface transportation authorization bill which would create up to 6 million jobs.

Source: Congressman Phil Hare

Courage and Leadership Win Out Over Political Gamesmanship and Insurance Industry Profits

November 7, 2009 -- Washington, DC - Service Employees International Union (SEIU) President Andy Stern released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed America's Affordable Health Choices Act:

"Real leadership does not govern out of fear but looks at the obstacles facing our country and pushes for bold solutions that live up to our country's promise. Like the creation of Medicare and Social Security, today's historic passage of the Affordable Health Choices Act by the House of Representatives will be remembered as a pinnacle moment when Congress showed the courage necessary to live up to our American ideals."    » read more »

Creating Jobs, Strengthening the Recovery, and Helping Workers Who Cannot Find Jobs

November 06, 2009 -- Today, President Obama signed legislation to help create jobs by providing tax cuts for homebuyers and businesses, while providing much-needed support for workers who are still struggling to find jobs. These three steps are part the President’s strategy to help the economy grow.    » read more »

Statement by Chair of the President's Council of Economic Advisors Christina Romer

November 06, 2009 -- Today’s employment report contained both signs of hope for recovery and painful evidence of continued labor market weakness.

Payroll employment declined 190,000 in October, continuing the steady trend of moderating job loss that began last spring. Furthermore, the employment loss in both August and September was revised down substantially. Importantly, employment in temporary help services, typically one of the first industries to see job gains, increased by 33,700. The motor vehicle industry also posted employment gains. These are hopeful signs that the unprecedented policy actions are working to stabilize the economy and put us on a path toward recovery.    » read more »

11/06/2009 -- WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the October 2009 Employment Situation report released today:

"This past October, the economy lost 190,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate increased to 10.2 percent.

"We have known for some time now that the unemployment rate could reach this level, and it is an unacceptable situation. We are working hard to reverse these circumstances for the millions of Americans who need and want work but cannot find it.    » read more »

Upstate General Contractor Named, Will Hire Up To Two Thousand

Columbia, S.C. - November 6, 2009 - South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford today issued the following statement on Boeing Company’s decision to use BE&K Building Group of Greenville as its general contractor to build the North Charleston facility for a second production line for the 787 Dreamliner.    » read more »

November 6 , 2009 -- “Today, President Obama signed a federal extension of Unemployment Insurance, ensuring that nearly 55,000 New Yorkers who had previously exhausted their benefits will be entitled to an additional 20 weeks.

“Unemployment Insurance was created as a safety net for workers who found themselves out of work through no fault of their own. In an economic climate where there is only one job for every six unemployed New Yorkers, Unemployment Insurance has taken on a different meaning. It has quickly changed from a safety net to a lifeline.    » read more »

November 5, 2009 -- CONCORD – New Hampshire Governor John Lynch today applauded Congress’ approval of an extension of unemployment benefits for thousands of New Hampshire citizens.

The legislation will extend benefits for 14 weeks for workers in New Hampshire. The legislation originally only extended benefits to workers in states where the unemployment rate is higher than 8.5 percent. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen authored an amendment making the extended benefits available to workers in all 50 states.

“I want to thank Senator Shaheen for her leadership in ensuring these benefits will be available to New Hampshire workers,” Gov. Lynch said.    » read more »

BOSTON – November 06, 2009 – Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick today announced that Massachusetts has won approximately $2 million in federal stimulus funding to aid in the development of affordable, reliable broadband Internet services for all communities in the Commonwealth. On Wednesday, the Governor met with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke in Washington, D.C. to push for the state’s broadband priorities, noting that expanding access to high-speed Internet will create jobs, support business expansion and help students and businesses compete in a 21st global economy.    » read more »

November 6, 2009 -- WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today praised President Obama for signing the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 2009 that she co-sponsored, into law. The new law will extend long-term unemployment benefits in Michigan by 20 weeks. It will also provide tax refunds to businesses that have been hit by the economic recession, and extends and expands the successful first-time homebuyer tax credit.    » read more »

National Unemployment Above 10%

November 6, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, after reports showing payrolls fell by 190,000 workers last month and the U.S. unemployment rate climbed to 10.2%, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) continued his call for Congress and the Obama Administration to take new, cost-effective steps to prevent more layoffs, aid businesses, and create jobs.    » read more »

November 6, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement today on the announcement by the Department of Labor that the national unemployment rate jumped to 10.2 percent, the highest rate since 1983:

“The unemployment rate isn’t just a statistic we use to measure the state of the economy. It represents not hundreds, not thousands, but millions of families who are struggling with the loss of a job.

“Economists may say that we’re in a recovery now, but to those families the recession drags on. On Main Street, there’s no such thing a ‘jobless recovery.’ To truly pull out of this recession, we have to create jobs.    » read more »

November 6, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Joseph Lieberman today expressed concern about the continuing loss of jobs and a jobless rate of 10.2%.

Senator Lieberman said, "Today's troubling news about the continuing loss of jobs from our economy and a jobless rate of 10.2% shows that workers in Connecticut and throughout the country are continuing to struggle to find work and make ends meet. The latest unemployment numbers underscore that the number one responsibility of Congress is to create jobs and spur an economic recovery.    » read more »