California pushing more welfare recipients to work, By Christina Hoag, June 10, 2012, Sacramento Bee: “Gov. Jerry Brown wants to shift the safety net protecting California’s most vulnerable residents. Pressured by a $16 billion budget deficit, the governor is proposing a major overhaul of the state’s welfare-to-work program with the strategy of slashing people’s benefits to motivate them to get jobs faster. The move, if approved by the state Legislature as part of the 2012-13 budget package, would save $880 million, but beyond the savings, analysts say it represents a shift in the philosophy of how the Golden State helps its neediest residents…”
Day: June 11, 2012
Long-term Unemployment
Long-term unemployment crisis rolls on, By Charles Riley, June 11, 2012, CNNMoney: “The national unemployment rate has fallen from its recession highs, but Americans who have been out of work for six months or more are still having trouble finding work. The numbers are staggering. The ranks of the long-term unemployed swelled last month from 5.1 million to 5.4 million, and those individuals now account for 42.8% of the unemployed. Meanwhile, the average length of time the unemployed have spent out of work has climbed steadily higher — and older Americans have been the hardest hit…”