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The 411 on President Obama’s American Jobs Act
President Obama is working to create more jobs for Americans.
By Kathryn Knight Randolph
If you’ve been tuning into the news for the past few months, you’ll notice that the unemployment rate has been steadily decreasing several tenths of a percentage point from month to month. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, that number had dropped to 8.3% in February.
Good news for the economy, and good news for job seekers across the country. But there is still much to be done in the way of finding jobs for the many still unemployed Americans out there, and that’s why, last week, President Obama signed the American Jobs Act.
The American Jobs Act is largely supported by both Democrats and Republicans in Congress, and it’s purpose is simple: to “put more people back to work and put more money in the pockets of working Americans – without adding a dime to the deficit,” according to the American Jobs Act website.
The American Jobs Act will do this in a variety of ways:
Small Businesses
Small businesses will receive further tax cuts, including cutting the payroll tax in half for the first $5 million in wages and temporarily eliminating payroll taxes on wages for new workers or raises for existing workers.
They will also receive help through administrative, regulatory and legislative measures to access capital and grow.
Rebuilding and Modernizing America
No doubt this measure encompasses many things, including tax credits and career readiness efforts to support veterans’ hiring, preventing teacher, cop and firefighter layoffs, and modernizing over 35,000 schools.
Putting Workers Back in the Workforce
While reform of unemployment insurance is the overarching goal here, this measure also provides tax credits to employers for hiring long-term unemployed individuals, investing in low-income youth and adults and prohibiting employers from discriminating against those who have been unemployed.
To learn more about President Obama’s American Jobs Act and how it could impact you, click here.
sutajaha
5 months ago
18 comments
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silvano
9 months ago
8 comments
These days many must CREAT thier own job. There are a few ways to do this. If you are sufficiently knowledgable in one or more fields (and it doesn't have to be something majored in college). Say you work out and studied anabolism, catabolism , diet etc one could post adds ( many are free) as a personal trainor or diet consultant , or promote adds for a lecture and when they come , bill 'em. We cannot rely on our government to provide opportunities, you can make your own. These are just a few money making ideas I promote. The philosophy here is we'll develope several income streams which together will become a respectable personal income. Friends Ive helped are making MUCH more then they thought possible. I'm available for " one career- several income streams". Since times are difficult I'll ONLY accept donations i. e. I won't charge you. Email me at silvanolombardi@ymail.com Hopefully , if you put the footwork in( I'll tell you exactly what to do ) you are GUARANTEED TO MAKE $.
userguym
10 months ago
2 comments
I finally graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering over a year ago (May 2011). A great accomplishment one might think; especially with a final 3.5 GPA. It would be if I had a job to back it up. For the last 14 months, I've been doing nothing but filling out job application after job application. I've been averaging about 1 interview for every 3 months. What did I do so wrong? Is it my age - afterall I'm no longer a 20 something? Help!
surfpearce
11 months ago
2 comments
I still have not found a good full time position. I have a college degree and also many other hours behind me. Have worked in the past, but not recent, and also a master in all the software...and I STILL cannot find a job. Macy's won't even hire me, and that's almost minimum wage. My last resort was unemployment and THAT is running out by end of Summer! Mr. Obama, can you help? OH, and the other problem is that I am NOT twenty something. LOL
CKMettler
12 months ago
6 comments
I have been out of work for over a year. I have been applying literally everywhere. Grocery stores, convenience stores, fast food restaurants, offices, libraries, etc. I get blind calls from places like health and life insurance companies saying they saw my resume and it meets their requirements. YAHOO! One problem. The position is commission only sales. There is NO WHERE on my resume that says I have EVER done sales. Data Entry and File Clerk for the past 11 years prior to my year of unemployment. I am going to school to be a paralegal and am willing to take any job with a guaranteed paycheck. Since I am NOT a sales person even going to the interview would be a waste of a) my time and the company's time and b) a waste of gas that I can't afford. I would love to see some businesses actually do some hiring in my area, but that's not happening either. Maybe one of these months (soon, I hope) I'll get a job. Frustration is an understatement at this point in time.
morsecode
12 months ago
2 comments
i really think the reason no one is hiring right now is because the people are scared of what is to come. On the other hand, how are you supposed to get experience in something if you don't work?
Sean_Graduate
about 1 year ago
2 comments
The only reason why unemployment has been decreasing is because several people have ran out their unemployment extension allocations. Furthermore, the labor bureau statistics do not take into account those individuals that did not qualify for unemployment benefits. As for the tax cuts, I have yet to notice a change in job access/growth.
jhay
about 1 year ago
2 comments
This is another shell game Mr. Obama and congress it playing. It supposedly doesn't add to the deficit but when taxes are cut without spendiing cuts you essentially increase the deficit. When my income is cut, i have to buy less at the grocery store, stop going out on weekends, and not indulge in extras etc. When the gov. cuts taxes their income is less yet they don't go without the "extras" and the bills pile up (the deficit increases).
Jasane
about 1 year ago
2 comments
Finally something GOOD going on in America
msmoulton
about 1 year ago
2 comments
Good, its about time, I have been unemployeed since the Recession of 2010 and have uprooted my life by moving in the beginning of the year. To a big city that can offer more services and opportunities for me to get a job and attempt to get my old life back, at least what parts can be resurrected.
Thank you very much and I am extending a great deal of appreciation to President O'Bama and to Congress for passing this jobs bills. Good luck out there to all of this dispalced and struggling to get back on their feet workers out there.