Rhode Island news
R.I. to benefit from extended-benefits bill
01:00 AM EST on Friday, November 21, 2008
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate has sent to the White House for President Bush’s signature a bill that would ensure up to 33 weeks of unemployment benefits in Rhode Island and other states with high rates of joblessness.
The White House has indicated that Mr. Bush will sign the measure, which cleared the House in October and would guarantee at least 20 weeks of benefits to jobless workers nationwide.
“This is extraordinarily important legislation at a time when the nation — particularly Rhode Island — is losing jobs left and right,” said Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., one of the chief sponsors of the bill, which was passed by the chamber late yesterday afternoon.
In figures for September released last month, Rhode Island’s unemployment rate hit 8.8 percent, nudging out Michigan’s as the worst in the nation. The current unemployment rate nationwide is 6.5 percent.
Reed noted that the bill is to be financed completely by the federal government, so the extra benefits will not burden state governments already hard pressed to meet budgets.
The bill builds on legislation enacted in June to fix the basic minimum duration of jobless pay at 13 weeks. It adds 7 extra weeks — for a total of 20 weeks — of coverage for the unemployed across the nation.
Once enacted, the bill will add 20 weeks — for a total of 33 weeks — of benefits in Rhode Island, Connecticut and 17 other states where unemployment has averaged over 6 percent for the past three months.
The number of high-unemployment states could rise as state figures are calculated each month. Earlier yesterday, the Labor Department reported that continuing claims for unemployment compensation have reached their highest level in 26 years.
White House press secretary Dana Perino said yesterday morning: “Because of the tight job market, the president believes it would be appropriate to further extend unemployment benefits and he would sign legislation that is now in front of Congress.”
| Covering the General Assembly: The 2009 Session | |
| Cigars are smoking | |
| Bristol float retells the story of George Mendonsa of Middletown, known as the Kissing Sailor |
More top stories
Hundreds attend memorial service for South Kingstown firefighter
Classical students petition against fixed-schedule plan
New education commissioner ‘ready’ to tackle Rhode Island’s problems
Most Viewed Yesterday
Senate commission to study marijuana decriminalization
Jury awards Roger Williams hospital patient $3.9 million
Supporters of state name change poised to woo voters’ support
Most active surveys
Why do you think Sarah Palin is prematurely stepping down as Alaska's governor?
How is this weather affecting you?
Most e-mailed in the last 24 hours
Reader Reaction









You must be logged in to contribute. Log in | Register Now!
You are logged in as screenname | Log Out
You are logged in, but do not have a "screen" name. Create a Screen Name