Jobs Bill Signed Into Law by Obama
In signing the bill, called the HIRE Act, the president said that while government can’t be the only solution to address lagging employment in the wake of the recession, it can serve to “promote a strong, dynamic private sector” that can drive job creation.
The bill includes $17.5 billion in tax cuts, business credits and subsidies for state and local construction bonds, and moves $20 billion into the highway trust fund for spending on highway and transit programs. It exempts businesses that hire unemployed workers from paying the payroll security tax through December of 2010.
News from the White House
The White House issued a Statement of Administration Policy (SAP) supporting the inclusion of $600 million for summer employment programs for youth in the House passage of the Disaster Relief and Summer Jobs Act of 2010, saying that in addition to essential help in keeping America prepared for natural disasters, “It also takes another important step forward in the ongoing effort to help put Americans back to work through the expansion of a youth summer jobs program and offers continued support to America’s small businesses, which are the backbone of the American economy.”
Unemployment Update
In February, the number of unemployed persons, at 14.9 million, was essentially unchanged, and the unemployment rate remained at 9.7 percent.
California Layoffs Database: See if your company is planning big jobs cuts in 2010
California’s WARN law requires certain companies with more than 75 employees to provide 60 days advance notice of a plant closing or mass layoff involving 50 or more employees.
Search our database by company to see if your employer has filed a notice and to see how many layoffs were made in 2008 and 2009 and planned for 2010 in each California city where it has a facility.