YOU DID IT...AGAIN!

Jobs bill – with aid to states – passes in
the U.S. Senate

March 10, 2010 - Recently, the U.S. Senate passed the American Workers, State and Business Relief Act (H.R. 4213) with a substantial amendment that includes the FMAP extension…a.k.a. fiscal aid to states through Medicaid. Passage of the OCSEA/AFSCME-supported jobs bill is a major win for states facing critical budget shortfalls and layoffs.

Congrats to OCSEA members who made the calls that made the difference. About 1,500 calls from AFSCME affiliates were made this week, and 10 percent of those came from OCSEA. Kudos to activated public employees like you who made this issue matter to elected leaders in Washington and got this important amendment passed.

AFSCME Pres. Gerald W. McEntee issued the following statement on the Senate passage of the bill:
"[This] vote in the Senate provides $26 billion to the states to save jobs and help America’s working families. Just as importantly, it helps states pay for unemployment insurance and Medicaid programs that are being cut to the bone."

Economists agree that this is one of the most sure-fire ways to help our economy, and our country, recover. Every dollar invested in public service creates $1.41 in economic growth and that means not only more public service jobs, but also more jobs for all Americans.

Why this legislation is important to Ohio:

• Without further federal aid, states like Ohio will have to close budget gaps with brutal cuts that could cost the U.S. economy 900,000 jobs…and more than three million by 2012.


• The economy is still very fragile, unemployment is still too high, Medicaid enrollment is expanding at a record-setting pace, and state and local governments are still struggling to make ends meet.


• Medicaid investment that was included in last year’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act helped bring us back from the brink of another Depression. But the truth is, help is still needed because the recession is far deeper and has lasted longer than anyone thought.


• According to Mark Zandi, Chief Economist of Moody’s Economy.com, every dollar of federal Medicaid relief results in $1.41 in increased economic activity – translating into stronger economic growth.


• Further extension of Medicaid is supported by many of the nation’s governors, state legislators, county officials, the AARP, health care providers, low-income advocates, unions and many others.

[ top ]

See Related

Looming budget storms for states could mean heavy job loss