Workforce development updated its page today and seems to indicate that if you were receiving unemployment, but were cut off after 26 weeks and before 99 weeks you should “expect a letter”. Note that there is a phone line, though, to answer questions: 1-888-998-8418. the link above is where to get updates and “how to” information as it becomes available.
Will the reinstitution of extended unemployment benefits stem the 25% jump in bankruptcies and 57% increase in foreclosures so far this year?
I know one thing; that level of bankruptcy, albeit a lagging indicator, and doubling in completed foreclosures is NOT good news for a sustained, healthy recovery which would require at least stabilization in real estate values.
Rep. Bowles, Rep. Sannicandro and his colleagues are to be commended for over riding the veto of Workforce Development Training Funds for that very reason.
There is no better bang for the buck then training Massachusetts workers for Massachusetts jobs. Employed citizens mean drops in bankruptcy, drops in foreclosure and stabilizing real estate prices – and healthy tax rolls. And the fact is that Massachusetts has had to “import” workers for many jobs that require training; there was a shortage of 90,000 trained workers just a couple of years ago. This story from Bristol Community College is one of many on this topic.
And, again, how about reviewing and pruning the Tax Expenditure Budget – Both our state and the federal government have so-called tax expenditure budgets – the giveaways, exemptions, and incentives that mean foregone government revenue.
Prune the “tax expenditure budgets”, not extended unemployment or workforce training funds!
Thanks for this post Amber. The latest unemployment data in Massachusetts, http://lmi2.detma.org/lmi/lmi_… are grim enough but do not reveal the true extent of the problem. Not included are people who have been unemployed for so long they have given up looking for work. Not highlighted is the fact that persons of color, particularly black males, are experiencing unemployment at double the average rate of unemployment. If unemployment were a virus, the government would declare it a “pandemic” and take extraordinary steps to address the problem. We need to treat the job crisis like the crisis it is. A Springfield or Chelsea financial management approach that is unencumbered by the vestiges of patronage and political lard. It’s not a D or R issue, but the right thing to do, even if only temporarily until we get Massachusetts working again. And if those in power lack the political will to fix the problem, those in the unemployment line should remember in November.
The USA is currently a debtor nation; what if China calls in its debts? What if we suddenly HAD to make our own stuff?
“Massachusetts is Open for Job Opportunities.” It’s about capitalism. We’ll never just cut or tax our way out of the current mess. We’ve got to grow our way out. Here’s my proposal to try to do that at the state level: http://danwinslow.com/position… What do you think?
I will consider your proposal, and at least you are thinking about alternatives.
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p>However, in my opinion the so-called “tax expenditure budget” is such a huge drain on resources, and if properly pruned, the job cuts in DCF, DDS, DMH (etc.) that are having a truly heinous impact on vulnerable people would not have been necessary.
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p>And, of course, every such position cut is a consumer lost, and a family in crisis.
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p>HAVE you looked at the state and federal “tax expenditure budget” – ancient drains on the state’s revenues never seem to get prunned, and like sap buckets that are never removed from struggling maple trees, go drip…drip…drip…sapping public revenues forever.