Posted on 03/26/2009 2:57:09 PM PDT by calcowgirl
Reporting from Sacramento -- Close to half a million jobless Californians are in line to get $3 billion in extended unemployment benefits from new legislation that could be signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as early as Friday. The money, part of President Obama's economic stimulus program, will be an immediate help to 76,000 people, whose current benefits were scheduled to run out on April 11.
They'll now get an additional 20 weeks of assistance, increasing the total number available to a maximum of 79 weeks. Weekly unemployment benefits range between $65 and $475, depending on a person's earnings when they were working.
The added benefits won final approval in the state Legislature today.
In all, the California Employment Development Department estimates that the federally financed extension will put money in the pockets of 469,000 people between now and the end of the year.
Officials expect the influx of cash to be spent almost immediately on food, rent and other necessities. They said money should quickly circulate through local businesses in a state that posted a 10.5% unemployment rate in February, the highest level in 26 years.
(snip)
"I applaud the Legislature for working across the aisle and as quickly as possible to pass this needed legislation that will help boost our economy, provide critical services for Californians, create jobs and put people back to work," the governor said. "I have said many times that we are going to do everything possible to clear the way for billions of dollars to flow into our state and I will continue to work with our federal, state and local partners to help California through this tough economy."
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
1:32 p.m. March 26, 2009
SACRAMENTO — The state Senate on Thursday passed legislation that will extend benefits to the unemployed by 20 weeks, sending Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger the first bill involving money from the federal economic stimulus package.
The bill, which passed on a 38-0 vote, would allow the state to draw up to $3 billion in stimulus money. Schwarzenegger is expected to sign it soon.
California is among more than a dozen high-unemployment states that need to make changes in its unemployment insurance system to qualify for the additional federal money.
The bill extends the maximum time Californians can receive benefits from 59 weeks to 79 weeks.
One Republican lawmaker requested making it easier to disqualify applicants, but majority Democrats delayed consideration of the request until later.
The Senate also approved a second bill to update the unemployment insurance program.
Under the changes, an employee’s most recent earnings will be considered in deciding eligibility, a move that will help about 30,000 workers statewide, many of them seasonal. The bill also allows employers and employees to participate in appeal hearings by telephone.
That bill was passed quickly by the Assembly on Thursday and will go to the governor’s desk.
(snip)
The terminator will be sending the bill to the rest of us who were far too intelligent to live in CA.
So, why not demand a drug test to go along with their benefits? That would save billions a years from the fear of you know who. I’m all for it. Private businesses have to do it. Why not the rest?
Nah, one has to have been employed to collect unemployment.
fat bro-in-law is finishing up his 2nd extension,
wonder if he will get this one too (CA)
tried google and got both answers (yea and no)
HUH creating some jobs by rolling back the Draconian anti business laws would not be logical but providing a breeding area for Obama supporters is,See what Roid usage does to the brain here is the example.
|
The |
|
ping to post 12.
At the rate they’re spending it, we’re going to be out of money very shortly.
LOL that is mega nasty! herpes, Christopher Walken hairsyle, stoned red eyes, and trademark RINO ear rings...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
