Wednesday, September 14, 2011

How the White House Job Proposal Could Impact Communities

The 2010 poverty numbers illuminated the continuing challenge that communities across the country are facing in ensuring that families have the jobs needed to support their families. According to most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' August report, employment rates remained unchanged in August with unemployment holding at 9.1 percent. The unemployment rate for adult men was 8.9 percent and was 8 percent for adult women. The statistics when broken down by age and race were even more stark. Youth unemployment has reached 25.4 percent. And while the unemployment rate for whites is below the national average at 8 percent, the rate for blacks is nearly double the national average and more than double the rate for whites at 16.7 percent. Similarly, the unemployment rate for Hispanics is 11.3 percent. In addition the August report show that the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks and over) remained unchanged -- but that accounts for about 42.9 percent of the unemployed. Furthermore, the Bureau of Labor statistics show that the average period of unemployment for workers has ballooned to over 40 weeks.

Many advocates are pointing to President Obama's Americans Jobs Act as one solution to improving the current economic situation (albeit with skepticism as to whether it will be legislated in full). The Jobs Act contains many provisions that could significantly impact the economic well-being of families, including:




We will be following the President's proposal and subsequent Congressional action and will keep you updated with relevant information.

Find out how state and local officials are responding to the American Jobs Act.

For more information on how the Jobs Act could impact your state.

Read about how the American Jobs Act could impact youth, low-income families, and non-profits.

No comments:

Post a Comment