Emilie Ritter Saunders was StateImpact Idaho's multimedia reporter until the project merged with the Boise State Public Radio site in July 2013. She previously worked as the Capitol Bureau Chief for Montana Public Radio and was a Senior Fellow with NPR's Economic Training Project from 2009 until 2010. She graduated from the University of Montana School of Journalism in 2007.
Idaho’s Department of Labor Director, with support of the Governor, is urging Congress to let federal unemployment benefits expire on December 31. That news broke at the beginning of November.
Now, new estimates released this week by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office suggest increasing benefits for the unemployed could be the best policy for short-term job growth. USNews.comreports tax breaks for businesses and infrastructure spending aren’t likely to boost short-term growth.
“According to estimates released Tuesday by the CBO, increased unemployment aid could, over the course of 2012 and 2013, add 0.4 to 1.9 dollars to the GDP per dollar spent, by far the largest increase for any of the options studied by the CBO. Reducing employers’ payroll taxes could add up to 1.3 dollars. The effect for reducing business’ income taxes, meanwhile, is 0.3 dollars at most. For infrastructure spending, it’s 0.7 dollars.” – USNews.com
Emergency unemployment benefits are set to expire at the end of the year, unless Congress passes its bill to extend the federal program for another year. The Hillreports Congress is expected to pass the extension, albeit the process is uncertain. Continue Reading →
Through a series of laws, the federal government has offered an additional safety net for workers who have been laid off. Extended unemployment benefit programs are in addition to individual state programs. In Idaho, someone who is laid off from their job — through no fault of their own — can qualify for up to 26 weeks of state unemployment insurance benefits. But because of the steep national unemployment rate, and the lack of jobs available, the federal government offers benefit extensions up to 73 weeks for jobless Idahoans. The maximum state and federal benefit in Idaho is 99 weeks. Continue Reading →
Laid-off workers in Idaho can collect up to 26 weeks of state unemployment insurance benefits.  Here are some of the requirements needed in order to qualify for receiving benefit payments:
You must be totally or partially unemployed through no fault of your own (if you’re fired or quit, you can’t qualify for benefits).
Be a U.S. citizen or legally authorized to work in the U.S.
Establish monetary entitlement to benefits by having sufficient earnings in the base period: You must have worked and been paid wages for employment in at least two of the quarters in your base period. You must have been paid at least $1,872 in wages in one of those quarters. The total wages paid in your base period must equal one and a quarter times your highest quarter wages.
You must be available for full-time work.
You must be able to perform full-time work.
You must be willing to actively seek full-time work.
Benefit payments to unemployed Idahoans vary based on salary and years in the workforce. The Department of Labor uses two calculations to determine the benefit amount and the duration of the benefit. It’s different for every person. The minimum benefit is $72 per week for ten weeks. The maximum benefit is $336 per week for 26 weeks.
Last week, the head of Idaho’s Labor Department encouraged state and federal lawmakers to vote against any further extensions of federal unemployment insurance benefits. Director Roger Madsen said he considers unemployment insurance to be one of this country’s most successful social programs, but believes extensions hold back business growth. You can read Madsen’s letter here.
We decided to look at how Idaho’s unemployment insurance program works and how it could be impacted by the end of federal extensions. Lets start with the basics. Continue Reading →
Earlier this week Idaho’s Department of Labor Director Roger Madsen asked state lawmakers and Idaho’s congressional delegation to oppose any further extension of federal unemployment insurance benefits.
Now, Republican Governor Butch Otter is weighing in (through his spokesman), after the Idaho Democratic Party said Madsen should resign. Here’s what The Idaho Statesman is reporting:
“The director has the governor’s full support and confidence,” said Mark Warbis, Otter’s communications director.
Otter and Madsen agreed after the last extension of federal benefits by Congress in July 2010 that they would not support another extension, Warbis said.
The current extension is set to expire next month. About 12,000 Idahoans are receiving those benefits. Some have already exhausted their jobless benefits.
Even while Idaho’s unemployment rate hovers at 9 percent and an estimated 68,000 people are out of work, there are 17,000 jobs in the state that are going unfilled, Warbis said. Some of that may be caused by people not having the correct skills for the jobs needed, he said. But he said the Department of Labor has several programs to help people get back to work.”
You can read the full story from The Statesmanhere, and listen to Boise State Public Radio’s story here.
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Labor Director Opposes Extending Unemployment Benefits: Idaho’s Department of Labor Director Roger Madsen said this week he’s against any further extension of federal unemployment insurance benefits, and encouraged Congress and Idaho’s legislature to vote against an extension. “Ending extended benefits will encourage many to re-enter the workforce where they will have a better chance of finding long-term employment.” Continue Reading →
“They wouldn’t even look at or consider me unless I had a four-year degree.”
The Idaho Department of Labor estimates nearly 70,000 people in the state don’t have jobs. That doesn’t include thousands more who are either underemployed, or have stopped looking for work.
Justy Thomas is part of the statistic. She lost her job in the mortgage industry in 2007, just as the housing market started to show signs of crumbling. She was 34 years old then, and like so many in her situation, was at a crossroads. Continue Reading →
A recent study published by the progressive think tank Demos paints a bleak picture for 20-somethings in the U.S. The report says almost all young people earn less than the previous generation at the same age. Plus, in today’s world, a college education is becoming a standard requirement in order for 20-somethings to advance up the job ladder.
During a news conference announcing the report, Aaron Smith, executive director of the Young Invincibles — a nonprofit that advocates on behalf of millenials — praised young people, who, he said, strive to make a mark for themselves despite steep economic obstacles.
“The potential of this generation is great,” Smith said. “We’re serving our country in Iraq and Afghanistan. We’re the most technologically savvy, diverse, and tolerant generation in history. And we continue to chase the American dream.” Continue Reading →
Debbie Kaylor is the director of Boise State University’s Career Center. She and her staff help students and alumni decide what kind of career path is right for them. The center also helps facilitate internships. It provides assistance with interview skills, building resumes and networking. I spoke with Kaylor to find out if university career advisers have changed they way the work with students given the high rate of unemployment and underemployment. Here is an edited portion of our conversation.Â
Q: Has the down economy changed how you work with students?
A: We’ve always encouraged students to get a jump on the job search. It used to be three to six month process, now it’s more six to nine, bordering on 12 months, really. It’s a tough, tough market out there. But we also try to make sure they understand it’s not impossible. You have to have a positive attitude out there, and you have to keep trying. The way you try has changed too. It’s not a matter of sending out 50 resumes to 50 different companies and hoping you get a call. You’re not going to get a call typically. Continue Reading →
The Idaho Department of Labor estimates there are nearly 70,000 people in the state who don’t have jobs. Tens of thousands more are either underemployed or have stopped looking for work.
“The unemployment rate measures people who are actively looking for work or working. If you’re not actively looking for work than you’re listed in the category of frustrated worker or marginally attached worker. And then there are thousands of people who are working jobs that are part time jobs because they can’t find anything more. And then there are thousands of people on top of that even the federal government doesn’t track.” – Bob Fick, Idaho Department of Labor
Idaho is one of a handful of states where the unemployment rate has gone up since the recession officially ended in mid-2009. Idaho’s unemployment rate climbed to its peak of 9.7 percent in early 2011, nearly two years after the recession was declared over. It has since come down to 9.0 percent. Continue Reading →
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