Action
ACTION ALERTS
Here a just a few suggestion about how you can take action for peace and justice. For more information on these or for other ideas, contact Associate Diana Oleskevich, justice coordinator.
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AMERICAN JOBS AND TAX LOOPHOLES: Congress will vote on the "American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act" (HR 4213). This legislation will provide supports to dislocated workers and promote long-term job growth.
ACTION NEEDED: Email your Senators and Representative TODAY and ask them to:
• Extend jobless benefits including expanded Unemployment Insurance (UI) and COBRA subsidies through the end of 2010;
• Extend the TANF Emergency Fund for one year;
• Fund youth summer job programs;
• Capitalize the National Housing Trust Fund; and
• Promote job growth in local communities.
BACKGROUND:
UI and COBRA: While Congress has passed several short-term extensions of expanded UI and COBRA subsidies, they have failed to pass a long-term fix. The current extension expires at the end of May. Congress must not let these benefits lapse again and should take immediate action to sufficiently fund UI and subsidized COBRA coverage through the end of 2010. With the national unemployment rate at 9.9 percent, these federal programs, which unemployed workers can access after they have exhausted the 26 weeks of state benefits, are critically important.
TANF Emergency Fund: Without Congressional action, the TANF Emergency Fund will run out on September 30, 2010. During this critical time, states are using the TANF Emergency Fund to develop initiatives to help more low-income families find training and employment opportunities. The TANF Emergency Fund needs to be extended for another year so that states can continue to meet the needs of low-income families during these difficult economic times.
Congress created the TANF Emergency Fund in 2009 as part of the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act". This program provided $5 billion in emergency funding to states to help create employment opportunities for low-income families, provide cash assistance to needy families, and/or provide one-time emergency benefits for families in need.
Youth Summer Jobs Program: The youth unemployment rate is at an all-time high, holding steady at 25 percent. Congress must take action to provide job opportunities for young people, especially those hit by extreme levels of unemployment.
National Housing Trust Fund: The National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) was created in the "Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008" to provide much needed housing opportunities for those with the lowest incomes. An investment of $1 billion into the NHTF will support the immediate construction of 10,000 rental homes, creating new construction jobs and up to 4,000 new jobs in ongoing operations.
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