In negotiations over the forthcoming economic recovery package, some policymakers have argued that various measures aimed at low- and moderate-income families would serve a “safety net” function but that the package should focus more heavily on creating jobs. This argument reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the current economic situation and of how economic stimulus works."  Read more

Chad Stone on the December Employment Report
 
Another dismal jobs report shows that the recession is deepening and confirms the need for a substantial and well-targeted economic recovery package. Assistance for unemployed workers should be a key component of that legislation.

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Policy Points:
	Sobering Jobless Data Highlight Need For Recovery Package to Focus On Hard-Hit Families and States
Additional analyses in this series:
	Number of Homeless Families Climbing
	Converting State Fiscal Relief to Loans Would Render It Ineffective as Stimulus
	UI Reforms Should Be Part of Economic Recovery Package

Combined [state] budget gaps for the remainder of this fiscal year and ... fiscal years 2010 and 2011 are estimated to total more than $350 billion."
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 Additional Background:
  Most States are Imposing Cuts That Hurt Vulnerable Residents
  Most States Are Cutting Education
  Policy Points: Overview of States and the Weak Economy
  Revenue Numbers Plummet

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Washington Post Columnist Steven Pearlstein's profile of the Center

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