- Jobs report is strongest since the start of the recession, By Louis Uchitelle and Javier C. Hernandez, December 4, 2009, New York Times: “In the strongest jobs report since the recession began two years ago, the nation’s employers all but stopped shedding jobs in November, the government reported on Friday, and they appeared to be on the verge of finally rebuilding the work force. The sudden and unexpected improvement surprised even the most optimistic forecasters. Instead of yet another six-figure job loss, only 11,000 jobs disappeared last month and instead of another rise in the unemployment rate, it went down, to 10 percent from 10.2 percent in October…”
- Unexpected drop in jobless rate sparks optimism, By Christopher S. Rugaber (AP), December 4, 2009, Houston Chronicle: “A surprising drop in the unemployment rate and far fewer job losses last month raised hopes Friday for a sustained economic recovery. The rate unexpectedly fell to 10 percent, from 10.2 percent in October, as employers cut the fewest number of jobs since the recession began. The government also said 159,000 fewer jobs were lost in September and October than first reported. If part-time workers who want full time jobs and laid-off workers who have given up looking for jobs are included, the so-called underemployment rate also fell, to 17.2 percent from 17.5 percent in October…”
- Repaid bailout money may go to jobless benefits, By Jackie Calmes, December 2, 2009, New York Times: “Under pressure from Democrats in Congress, the Obama administration has begun talks with lawmakers about tapping unspent money from the government’s financial bailout program to help offset additional spending to create jobs and aid the long-term unemployed. The discussions reflect the Democrats’ effort to balance concerns for the high federal budget deficit and a costly, crowded domestic agenda, including an effort for further economic stimulus measures that is likely to exceed $100 billion. On Thursday, House leaders may decide the outlines of a jobs bill to pass this month, even as President Obama holds a White House jobs summit seeking long-range ideas. Now that the financial industry has stabilized, and some bailed-out companies have repaid the government with interest, the $700 billion bailout fund created in October 2008 is left with a balance exceeding $200 billion, according to the Treasury…”
Day: December 4, 2009
Food Stamp Program Enrollment – Pennsylvania
Retailers take notice as record numbers turn to food stamps, By Tim Grant, December 4, 2009, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: “A historic high number of Pennsylvanians — many of whom are middle-class families experiencing job loss and reduced work hours — are being forced to rely on government help to put food on the table. Records from the state Department of Public Welfare show there were 1.3 million people in the state who might have gone hungry if not for the federal food assistance program during the first 10 months of this year. Of that number, 136,563 are residents of Allegheny County. It is the highest number of food stamp recipients on record for the county and the state. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the number of food stamp recipients is at record highs across the nation. With more people receiving assistance than ever before and retailers across the country struggling to maintain if not increase sales, many stores that had not previously accepted food stamps are taking steps to do so…”
State Cuts to Medicaid – Mississippi, Oklahoma
- Barbour slashes $54.3M from Mississippi budget, By Elizabeth Crisp, December 4, 2009, Jackson Clarion-Ledger: “Gov. Haley Barbour is whittling another $54.3 million from the state budget as revenues continue to fall, but Mississippi’s remaining $160 million shortfall likely will be addressed in January after the legislative session begins. ‘When the Legislature spent more money than we had, it falls on the governor to make the savings, which I do,’ he said. Barbour is making his second round of budget cuts since July 1. The cuts, coupled with those in September, amount to $226.3 million. He cut $200 million the previous fiscal year. Many state agencies are now nearly 10 percent below their funding for last year…”
- Agency to decide Oklahoma Medicaid cutbacks, By Michael McNutt, December 3, 2009, The Oklahoman: “Thousands of Oklahoma Medicaid patients would see benefits reduced as the state agency that manages the federal program grapples with required 5 percent budget cuts, according to a spending-cut proposal presented Wednesday to a House budget subcommittee. Proposals include limiting paid emergency room visits to three a year, eliminating outpatient adult therapies, such as speech and physical therapy, eliminating reimbursement for newborn circumcision and reducing the number of brand-name prescriptions from three to two for adults, said Mike Fogarty, chief executive officer of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority…”