Unemployment Up 95% Over Year

The Georgia Department of Labor says 88,756 laid-off workers filed first-time claims for state unemployment insurance benefits in June, an increase of 94.8 percent from June of 2008. The areas with the highest percentage of increase in claims from June 2008 to June 2009 were Rome up 181.0 percent, Gainesville up 172.8 percent, and Athens up 163.2 percent. The areas with the smallest increase in claims were Dalton up 48.5 percent, Albany up 66.3 percent and Savannah up 68.7 percent. State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said rising unemployment continues to plague local economies throughout North Georgia. Most of the state initial claims were filed by laid-off workers in manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, construction, and administrative and support services.

(Associated Press)

Georgia Gazette Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Join host Rickey Bevington tonight for Georgia Gazette. On tonight's show… Combating childhood obesity… striking the right balance between getting kids fit while maintaining their self esteem. How people are managing stay afloat in the county with the worst unemployment rate in the state. And the father of gospel music was a Georgia man… we remember Thomas Dorsey on his birthday. These stories and more tonight on Georgia Gazette at 6, 7 in Athens, re-broadcast at 11, hear our show any time at www.gpb.org/georgiagazette, and download a free podcast on iTunes.

State Unemployment Rate Hits New High

There are new and sobering numbers this morning on unemployment in Georgia. The state’s labor department says the seasonally adjustment jobless rate for May is now the highest ever recorded in Georgia—9.7 percent. That is up five-tenths of a percentage point from April’s mark. And for a 19th consecutive month, Georgia's rate is above the national rate(currently 9.4 percent). Commissiioner Michael Thurmond says the new rate reminds us "the road to economic recovery will be long and difficult." Last month, more than 463,000 Georgians were looking for work.

Extended Unemployment Benefits In The Mail

Good news for the unemployed in Georgia—those on the rolls of the Department of Labor and who qualify will soon be getting extended jobless benefits checks. The payments are part of the state’s emergency extension of benefits-made possible by the federal stimulus and approved by the state legislature. This extension is expected to bolster a little more than 40,000 jobless Georgians with another 20 weeks of payments.

Meanwhile, just released this morning, new numbers from the state’s Department of Labor. Statistics show a continued increase in claims filed for unemployment benefits, but a rise at a slower rate. 75,436 workers who filed claims represent an increase of 68-percent over May of last year. But, officials say initial claims from this April to last month were down in 11 of Georgia’s 14 metro areas.

Athens One Of Best In U.S. To Live

There is more national recognition for a northeast Georgia city. Athens has been rated as the 5th-best place to live in the U.S. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine compiled the list, noting that while southern charm clings to the streets, the air is charged with change. The magazine also points to the city’s relatively low unemployment rate of 6.3 percent in this tough economy. Last month Athens took a ranking of #7 nationally by Forbes magazine as one of the best cities for jobs.

State Unemployment Nearly Steady

State labor officials report a 9.3 percent unemployment rate for April, almost unchanged from the previous two months. State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond says the numbers suggest to him Georgia's labor market "may be beginning to stabilize."

Meanwhile, in northwest Georgia, a carpet dye company is set to add 300 jobs to the region. Bently Dye made expansion plans in the Calhoun area late last year with the purchase of 42 acres for a new plant to make polyester and carpet yarn. Currently, the company employs 80 people.

Perdue Signs Two Bills To Boost Business

Businesses in Georgia could be in line for substantial tax breaks, following a pair of bills signed into law by the Governor.

One piece of legislation changes how tax credits are earned by companies doing business in the state—allowing bigger breaks for more higher-paying jobs added. The other bill would end the tax on business inventories—this however needs a constitutional amendment through a voter referendum.

Both measures moved through the Legislative session with little resistance.

Thomas Smith, assistant professor with Emory University’s Goizueta School of Business, says even with state budget shortfalls, direct help for companies is good:

"I think we’ve got to worry about first thing’s first, and worry about the state budget second. And the first things we’ve got to worry about are--are the businesses able to do business? And if they can’t, then, who cares about the state budget."

Still waiting to be signed by Governor Perdue--legislation to give tax credits to businesses that hire unemployed Georgians for a certain length of time, and to reduce long-term capital gains which would be subject to federal taxes.

Tech College Enrollment Spikes

The state's technical colleges have seen a 15 percent spike in enrollment over this time last year as laid-off workers return to school to learn other trades. Officials with the Technical College System of Georgia say enrollment at Georgia's 33 technical colleges jumped to 90,000 this spring, up more than 12,000 students from last year. It's the second highest enrollment in the system's history.

Labor Commish Thurmond To Testify In D.C.

Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond is in Washington D.C. this morning. He’ll be testifying before a House Subcommittee about how well federal stimulus money has helped to boost unemployment benefits for states. Thurmond is expected to tell committee members the program is working, but challenges still remain. Currently, the average out-of-work Georgian gets $267 a week. The stimulus is adding an extra $25 weekly. Georgia’s jobless rate is 9.2 percent.

Labor Commissioner to Testify

Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond has been invited to address the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support in Washington, D. C. The subcommittee is reviewing the implementation and the impact of unemployment insurance provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Thurmond will testify on Thursday.

(Commissioner Thurmond News Release)

Perdue Signs Unemployment Law

Today Governor Sonny Perdue announced that House Bill 581 has been signed into law. The legislation will allow Georgia to draw down $226 million in federal funds to shore up the state’s unemployment trust fund. Perdue says it prevents tax increases on Georgia businesses so they can grow and create jobs. To qualify for the federal funds, the state expanded unemployment benefits by allowing people seeking part-time work to qualify for unemployment. In addition, Georgians can receive unemployment while in a training program if they were laid off from a declining occupation and are training for a high-demand occupation. These changes will cost the state less than $1.2 million a year.

(Governor Press Release)

State Senate OK's Expanded Jobless Benefits

Georgia Senate lawmakers voted to expand unemployment benefits, allowing the state to qualify for hundreds of millions of dollars in federal stimulus money. The bill approved Monday allows some jobless workers to qualify for additional unemployment benefits if they seek training in high-demand fields.

Thurmond: County-by-County unemployment a "sobering reality"

The latest localized unemployment numbers show what state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond says is a "sobering reality" in Georgia. 87 of the state’s 159 counties are now experiencing double-digit percentages for out-of-work residents. The highest--Jenkins County at 21.3 percent ; Hancock at 19 percent ; Warren County close to 17 percent. Overall, Georgia’s unemployment mark stands at 9.3 percent, representing more than 445,000 Georgians looking for work.

Georgia Hits Jobless Record

Georgia has hit another record-high in the number of residents out-of-work. New numbers in from the state’s Labor Department show the unemployment rate rose from 8.5 percent in January, to 9.3 percent in February. More than 445,000 Georgians are currently without work--a rise of nearly 70 percent over a year’s time.

Job losses again came across-the-board in many areas, like construction, manufacturing and trade. However, there are some bright spots to report. Jobs have been added in educational and health services, state and local education, and in the federal government sector.

Caterpillar To Close Plants In Jefferson, Griffin

Griffin and Jefferson will be the Georgia cities affected when heavy equipment maker Caterpillar lays-off more than 2,400 employees nationwide this year. Caterpillar Tuesday announced plans for the cuts at five U.S. plants, including two in Georgia.

The company’s fuel systems plant in Jefferson will close, putting 89 workers out of jobs by the end of June. In Spalding County, Caterpillar’s engine facility there will close its doors, putting another 200 out of work when the calendar hits May.

Caterpillar, based in Peoria, Illinois, says it is restructuring operations in the face of the economic downturn.

Unemployment Jumps

The Georgia Department of Labor says the number of first-time claims for state unemployment insurance benefits more than doubled in February from the same month a year ago. State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond says most of the initial claims were filed by laid-off workers in manufacturing, trade, construction, and administrative services. Thurmond said more than 86,000 people filed initial claims for benefits last month. The department says the number of jobless workers receiving unemployment insurance benefits rose 116 percent over the past year, from 73,661 in February of 2008 to 159,359 in February of 2009. The metropolitan areas with the highest percentage of increase in claims are Brunswick, up 179.5 percent; Athens, up 167.1
percent; and Dalton, up 148.7 percent.

(Associated Press)

Bigger Unemployment Checks In The Mail

Beefed-up unemployment checks should begin arriving soon in the mailboxes of qualified Georgians who are out-of-work. The state Labor Department says weekly checks with an additional $25 are on the way to more than 180,000 jobless in the state with valid registration. The extra money is a result of federal stimulus money that Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond and Governor Sonny Perdue recently accepted.

1-K Jobs To Be Cut At Milledgeville Plant

Rheem Manufacturing says it will close its plant in Millegeville by year’s end, putting 1,200 people out of work. The layoffs will be in phases, beginning in May. Production of heating and cooling units will continue at Rheem plants in Arkansas and Mexico. These job cuts come as Georgia deals with record-high unemployment--currently a rate of 8.6 percent.

Thurmond Will Introduce Stimulus Amendments

On Sunday, Governor Sonny Perdue told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he may not accept some of the stimulus funds because they may not be in the long-term interest of the state. But Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond says even though it would require changing state law, he supports accepting $220 million dollars in federal stimulus money geared to unemployment benefits.

He says he plans to introduce two amendments to Georgia law this week to pave the way for federal stimulus money. One will change Georgia's requirements on part-time workers receiving unemployment benefits. The other would change job training rules.

Thurmond calls accepting the stimulus money "prudent," because it would help the state's unemployment fund remain solvent.

He says more unemployed people may become eligible for benefits-

"… if you really look at the impact it would be very, very miniscule. And at the end of the day accepting the money, in my opinion, will actually be of great benefit to Georgia because it would allow us to stabilize our trust fund …"

And that's good news for employers, according to Thurmond. He says if Georgia's unemployment trust fund runs out, the state would be required to raise employer taxes immediately.

State Unemployment Up; Phone Systems Tied

The unprecedented number of state unemployment claims is breaking records- and phones.

One of the nine phone systems that handle the 150,000 weekly unemployment claims calls crashed yesterday after a technical glitch caused circuits to overload. After several hours of being out of service, the phone line is up-and-working again.

Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond says normally eight phone systems can handle the calls- but the current volume of people seeking to file unemployment claims warrants an extra system.

The Labor Department said Thursday that the number of Georgians filing first-time claims for state unemployment insurance is up 80.7 percent from January of last year.

Those receiving unemployment compensation must call the automated system every week to verify that they’re looking for work. Thurmond says calls started coming in at 12:01 AM this week. By 1 AM claims for over 3,000 people had been certified.

(AP)