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Politics : Liberalism: Do You Agree We've Had Enough of It? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: tonto who wrote (85950)	6/15/2010 10:47:01 PM
From: Jack of All Trades	Respond to of 224756

I wonder if it's because the problem is much worse then they are letting on...

To: tonto who wrote (85950)	6/16/2010 8:01:20 AM
From: lorne	2 Recommendations Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 224756

Feds Tell Unemployed: Doesn't Pay To Work Senators Try to Change Law That Slashes Benefits UPDATED: June 15, 2010 thebostonchannel.com A federal law is creating an incentive for unemployed workers not to seek part-time jobs, according to critics of a law that slashes unemployment benefits for workers who take temporary jobs. When Rachel Grossman, a retail manager, lost her job last July she signed up for unemployment and looked for work. She found a part-time position. "The unemployment benefits office said that's fine. As long as you don't make more than the money we tell you, your benefits won't be affected," she said. "I was thankful to receive unemployment, but I was proud that I wasn't sitting around all day," she said. Grossman said she was receiving $653 per week in unemployment benefits and $209 per week from a part-time job. Months later, she was stunned by a letter she received from the government. "It said we're going to cut your unemployment drastically. To what? I'm having $550 cut out of my pay," said Grossman. "So basically, I'll be making $100 a week, $400 a month." The cut means that she would receive a greater weekly check by quitting her part-time job and just receiving unemployment benefits. An estimated 15,000 Bay Staters are also about to get their benefits cut. "We do think it's unfair. We are concerned," said Joanne Goldstein, the Massachusetts secretary of Labor and Workforce Development. "We want to see people be able to collect benefits when they're eligible, but also to encourage people to go to work when they have the opportunities," she said. Goldstein is pushing for Congress to make a change. "Having the part-time earnings, if the law is passed, would not require you to go to a lower rate of unemployment," Goldstein said. Sen. John Kerry told Newscenter 5 people "are being unfairly penalized. That's exactly the opposite of what should happen during an economic downturn." Grossman said she'd be better off watching TV all day than working part-time. "They said if I didn't work within the first 52 weeks of unemployment, none of this would have happened. I don't think it's fair," she said. The proposed bill may go to a vote in Congress this week.