Arizona’s Democratic legislators call for special session to help Arizona’s unemployed

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Governor Brewer says she wants it; legislative Democrats want it; I understand that many House Republicans want it; the problem lies with the Senate controlled by "King" Russell Pearce and his toady Sen. "Cap'n" Al Melvin, who have made hateful statements about Arizona's unemployed in recent weeks.

Press release from the Democratic Senate Caucus:

Senate Democrats Call on Governor to Help Arizona’s Unemployed

STATE CAPITOL, Phoenix –Arizona law needs a simple fix to prevent over 15,000 Arizonans from losing their unemployment benefits next week. Repeated requests made by Senate Democrats to the Governor and Legislative Republicans to fix this problem in March and April during regular session fell on deaf ears.

“Senate Democrats are calling on the Governor to immediately call a Special Session to fix this problem, preventing thousands of Arizonans from losing federal benefits next week,” said Senate Minority Leader David Schapira. “The Governor has done virtually nothing to create jobs and lower the unemployment rate. The least she could do is help the thousands of Arizona families that are relying on these benefits while they struggle to find work.”

Extended unemployment benefits are paid solely by the federal government and put an additional $3.5 million a week into the Arizona economy. This fix would cost Arizona taxpayers nothing, and would actually save the state money as the federal benefits would alleviate a need for these Arizonans to seek other state aide. The benefits average $212.00 a week and are used to pay rent, buy food and pay for other life necessities.

“We have been calling on the Governor and Legislative Republicans to make this simple fix to Arizona law since March,” said Senate Minority Whip Paula Aboud. “We have known about this problem for months, yet the Republicans continue to do nothing. Now, time is running out for these families. This is the right thing to do, both economically and morally.”

Since December of 2007 Arizona has lost 344,000 jobs. Arizona currently ranks 47th out of the 50 states in terms of job creation since March of 2010.

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