Bipartisanship Needed to Help State’s Unemployed

Together, these two provisions would bring $5.75 billion in federal funds to California’s unemployed.

Because the bill contains an urgency clause, we need bipartisan support to maintain benefits for the long-term unemployed. And let’s be clear: inaction is not an option. If this bill fails, we’ll risk losing all this federal money and our economy will suffer another staggering blow.

This is one of the rare occasions in Sacramento when every legislator, Democrat and Republican, should be able to come together to support those in need. California’s unemployed are depending on their representatives in Sacramento to put politics aside and do the right thing.

And I’m here to tell you, we’re all watching on this one. If legislators can’t support a no-brainer of a bill like this that would provide critical assistance to thousands of families as well as local communities and businesses at negligent cost to the state, then they need to think about another line of work.

It’s not just the legislature that’s on the hook here. Governor Schwarzenegger must put the full weight of his office behind supporting this critical legislation. He’s indicated that he’s in support of making changes in the unemployment system to maximize federal dollars California receives, which is good.

But in recent days, some members of his staff have sent signals that the administration may not be prepared to act immediately.

The Administration and the Governor need to set a different tone.

Unemployed families simply can’t stay afloat without these important changes. We call on the Governor to be a leader in moving this bill quickly and getting families the help they need right away. Dithering is just unacceptable.

There are rare opportunities where the legislature can take action to immediately help Californians and actually make an immediate impact on people’s lives.

AB x3 23 provides such a chance to tell California’s unemployed that help is on the way.

Art Pulaski is Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, which represents 2.1 million members of 1,200 manufacturing, service, construction, and public sector unions.