99er Unemployment Legislation: Stabenow Among Those Desiring Another Extension Bill

99er unemployment legislation could be in the works.  Debbie Stabenow, the Democratic Senator from Michigan is said to be one of the handful of Senators who are ready to get some help to 99ers in need of a benefits extension.  This comes as little surprise as she is the representative for the state with the second highest unemployment rate, which sits well into the double digits.

99er legislation would make jobless benefits available for longer than...99 weeks. This is the current time frame allowed under the bill that was signed into law last week.

Stabenow has also indicated that job creation is crucial to the success of the economy. It's true that the only way to truly solve the unemployment issue is to get people back to work.  Perhaps this should be the focus now, alongside a measure to help extend benefit to the long term unemployed.

In a letter to the public, Stabenow said the following regarding her support of Tier 5 legislation for the 99ers:

I wish that the bill we passed helped those who have been looking for work the longest – the so-called "99ers." I'm working on a bill to help them because, when there are five people out of work for every one job opening, it's the right thing to do.


Hopefully more politicians feel the same, so that a comprehensive measure can be brought to the floor to discuss.


Source: American Chronicle