When states imposed stay-at-home orders and locked down businesses in the initial stages of the response to the coronavirus pandemic, retail sales fell 8.3 percent in March, and 14.7 percent in April (revised data). Then there was a rush by state’s to reopen in May, followed by Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, and Father’s Day weekends. … Read more
Update to As CARES Act benefits are set to expire, many workers have yet to receive unemployment insurance. Apparently things are even worse than I knew. The state of Arizona is treating the unemployed like they are criminals. Confusion by first time filers is not a crime, especially when the Department of Economic Security (DES) … Read more
The $600-a-week federal supplement to unemployment benefits enacted under the CARES Act is scheduled to expire after July 31, barring an extension from Congress, which seems unlikely given Republican opposition. (States can only pay this enhanced benefit through the week ending on July 25 or July 26.) For many Americans who lost their job during … Read more
Back in May, the House passes $3 trillion relief package – the Heroes Act – that the “Grim Reaper” of the Senate, “Moscow Mitch” McConnell, declared DOA in his legislative graveyard. “It is important to note that more than 80 percent of the priorities in the Heroes Act have been supported by the Republicans in the four … Read more
Our coronavirus denier president said last week that the virus is “getting under control.” “Some (places) were doing very well, and we thought they (the virus) may be gone and they flare up, and we’re putting out the fires.” “I think we are going to be very good with the coronavirus. I think that, at some point, … Read more