Call Us 919-240-4054Johnson & Groninger partner Valerie Johnson organized a roundtable discussion of issues regarding North Carolina Workers’ Compensation on April 12, 2013. The 18th Annual Workers’ Comp Roundtable was held in Raleigh at the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ) headquarters on April 12 and was co-led by attorney J. Griffin Morgan of Elliot, Pishko, Morgan, […]
Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment benefits extended through 2011; more help needed
On Friday, President Obama signed a large tax cut bill that includes an extension of extended unemployment benefits through the end of 2011. While the extension of those benefits was sorely needed, it is unfortunate that the bill did not include additional spending measures that would stimulate the economy. As further evidence that the Great Recession continues, […]
Millions to lose unemployment benefits, even if extension passes; new course of action needed
Even if Congress manages to extend emergency unemployment benefits for more the millions of workers who could receive them, about four million others will see their benefits end over the next year, unless an entirely new program is created. This is according to a report recently issued by the President’s Council of Economic Advisers. So the crisis […]
Extended unemployment blocked by Republicans again
Extended unemployment benefits — providing for up to 99 weeks of benefits — have expired again because of Republican obstruction. Up to 2 million long-term job-seekers could lose their benefits by the end of the year. Coverage can be found here. Once again, Republicans oppose helping the unemployed in the name of the budget deficit, […]
Unemployment extension finally passed over Republican filibuster
Senate Democrats, with the help of only two Republicans, were finally available to break the deadlock over the extension of unemployment benefits. President Obama signed the bill this past Thursday. This bill provides a continuation of the program of extended benefits for those who exhaust the standard 26 weeks of unemployment benefits. Read more here. Although this bill […]
Republicans continue to hold up unemployment extension in Senate
In a vote Thursday night, Senate Democrats were unable to overcome the Republic filibuster of the bill that contains the much-needed extension of unemployment benefits. Even though the cost of the bill had been reduced to alleviate the (misguided) concerns of increasing the federal deficit, all Republicans and two Democrats maintained their opposition. This bill would not […]
House passes unemployment extension without COBRA benefits; Senate yet to act
On May 28, 2010, the House passed a watered-down jobs bill. It extends the extra unemployment benefits program for another six months, though those benefits have now expired as of the end of May. Significantly, the House bill did not include an extension of the expanded COBRA program for health insurance. The Senate has yet […]
President signs bill to extend unemployment benefits
After Democrats were once again able to overcome Republican opposition that was holding up unemployment benefits for millions of workers in difficulty, Congress passed an extension of emergency unemployment benefits, and President Obama signed it into law on April 15. From the New York Times: “The measure, which would continue added unemployment benefits and other expired […]
Helpful information on COBRA and health care reform
The New York Times has a very useful article on COBRA and how it is affected by the recently-enacted health care reform act. It starts: “If you’ve recently joined the ranks of the unemployed or are worried that you soon will, you may be wondering if the sweeping new health law will help you. Will you, […]
Republicans block unemployment benefits again
Senate Republicans have once again blocked a much-needed extension of unemployment benefits, ignoring the needs of millions of workers that rely on those benefits. This time, it is Oklahoma Republican Tom Coburn who has single-handedly denied workers benefits. From the New York Times: “As a result, some people who have been out of work for more […]