House moves to help teachers, public workers

The Associated Press: House moves to help teachers, public workers:

August 10, 2010

WASHINGTON — Hoping to show disenchanted voters that they are the party that cares about jobs, House Democrats are convening an emergency session to pass a bill aimed at saving hundreds of thousands of teachers and other public workers from unemployment....

...Democrats say [the bill] could save the jobs of more than 300,000 teachers, police officers and other public health workers. Republicans see it as more profligate government spending and a pre-election gift to teachers' unions and other public service unions that are crucial to helping keep Democrats in the majority.

The legislation provides $10 billion to school districts to rehire laid-off teachers or ensure that more teachers won't be let go before the new school year begins. The money could keep more than 160,000 teachers, including 16,000 in California and 14,000 in Texas, on the job, advocates say.

The other half of the bill has $16 billion for six more months of increased Medicaid payments to the states. That would free up money for states to meet other budget priorities, including keeping more than 150,000 police officers and other public workers on the payroll. Some three-fifths of states have already factored in the federal money in drawing up their budgets for the current fiscal year.

The National Governors Association, in a letter to congressional leaders, said the states' estimated budget shortfall for the 2010-12 period is $116 billion, and the extended Medicaid payments are "the best way to help states bridge the gap between their worst fiscal year and the beginning of recovery."

But House Republican leader John Boehner contended, "The American people don't want more Washington 'stimulus' spending — especially in the form of a payoff to union bosses and liberal special interests."

Pelosi responded, "Why wouldn't House Republicans want to keep 310,000 teachers, first responders and private-sector workers on the job instead of on the unemployment lines?"

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Posted by Chuck Bell at 4:59 AM    

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More action needed to help ailing states preserve and create jobs

Good info from Progressive States Network on State Budget Crisis

Last month, President Barack Obama signed the $17.5 billion Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act into law to assist small businesses and spur job creation. This was definitely a start, but the gravity of the current crisis demands much bolder and quicker action. Congress needs to enact further state fiscal relief to support jobs and avoid the massive layoffs that threaten social and economic vitality in the states.

Federal action is still needed to provide support for state Medicaid programs by extending the increased medical assistance percentages (FMAP), boost funding for educational programs, invest in infrastructure projects and public transportation, support the long-term unemployed to sustain them until they reenter the workforce, and provide direct and comprehensive financial assistance to state and local governments to perform the vital services needed to maintain growth in local communities.

In the past few months, Congress has started to take action:

• Jobs for Main Street Act (H.R. 2847): On December 16, 2009, the House passed this bill, which would redirect money from the Wall Street bailout to fund environmental and infrastructure projects, extend FMAP, support education jobs, and provide small business loans. The bill would additionally provide funding to public safety and law enforcement jobs, address public housing needs, and invest in clean and safe water projects.

• American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010 (H.R.4213): On March 10, the Senate passed this piece of legislation to provide state fiscal relief through FMAP increases, provide support for the long-term unemployed though Unemployment Insurance and COBRA extensions through the end of December 2010, reverse a scheduled 21 percent payment cut for doctors who provide services through Medicare, and extend several tax breaks, such as the research and development tax credit. The bill also raises almost $40 billion in new revenue by reducing a biofuel tax break utilized by the paper industry and strengthening tax shelter rules.

• The Local Jobs for America Act (H.R. 4812): Rep. George Miller (D-CA) introduced this bill last month to provide $75 billion to local communities to hire needed staff over two years, funding for 50,000 private-sector training jobs, $23 billion to support education and teaching positions, and $1.18 billion for law enforcement. Overall, the legislation would appropriate $100 billion to job creation efforts. Within a month of its introduction, the bill already has 105 co-sponsors.

Individuals and advocacy organizations should press their Congressional leaders on the need for action. If you are a state or local lawmaker, please sign onto this letter calling on the President and Congress to enact a comprehensive jobs plan, including relief to states and local governments to foster economic growth and create and maintain jobs.

Resources:


Campaign for America's Future - Major New Jobs Bill Gains 105 Co-Sponsoring


Center on Budget and Policy Priorities - Recession Continues to Batter State Budgets; State Responses Could Slow Recovery


Center on Budget and Policy Priorities - An Update on State Budget Cuts


Economic Policy Institute - Dire states--State and Local Budget Relief Needed


Economic Policy Institute - Jobs Crisis Fact Sheet


Progressive States Network - Take Action: Additional Federal Job Creation and State Fiscal Relief

Posted by Chuck Bell at 6:15 AM    

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HR 4812 - Local Jobs for America Act Introduced in House

Cross-posted from Rep. George Miller's Web Site

Local Jobs for America Act - HR 4812

By Kittredge, Betsy Miller on March 10, 2010 2:11 PM

Helping Local Communities Create A Million Public and Private Jobs

Our nation is going through one of the most difficult economic times in its history. We must do everything to help create jobs for those who are strug­gling to support their families. At the same time, the recession is forcing states and municipalities to cut jobs that are critically important – teachers, police, firefighters, childcare workers, and others.

The Local Jobs for Amer­ica Act will provide our economy a shot in the arm by putting a million people to work by restoring these services in local communities. The Local Jobs for America Act will create a million public and private jobs in local communities this year.

Support will be targeted directly to states and municipalities with the greatest number of people out of work to restore important local services. The Local Jobs for America Act will help ensure that local com­munities can still operate essential services.

Because of the recession, many local communities have cut back on education, public safety, childcare, health care, education and transporta­tion. As a result, families who rely on these services are suffering the cost of these cutbacks. This bill will help prevent state and local tax increases.

By supporting the services local communities deem most necessary, the bill will help local governments avoid having to choose between eliminat­ing services and raising taxes. Creating local jobs will stimulate local businesses and create more jobs in the local economy.

By increasing employment in local communities, families will be able to start spending again at their neighborhood businesses and favorite restaurants. This will help spur additional jobs for local small businesses. The Local Jobs for America Act will fund salaries for private sector on-the-job training to help local businesses put people back to work.

Specifically, the Local Jobs for America Act invests:

$75 billion over two years to local communities to hire vital staff
Funding for 50,000 on-the-job private-sector training positions

The bill also includes provisions already approved by the House:

$23 billion this year to help states support 250,000 education jobs
$1.18 billion to put 5,500 law enforcement officers on the beat
$500 million to retain, rehire, and hire firefighters

Posted by Chuck Bell at 9:58 AM    

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