Unemployment

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 »

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 »

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 »

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

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 »

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 »