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The Macomb Daily
April 17, 2008 |
Chad Selweski
Staff Writer
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Roseville Couple’s Letter Read in Washington |
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For all their economic anxiety, Donna and Steven Bidigare of Roseville may take some solace in the fact that their story could help unemployed workers across the nation.
As a House committee began consideration on Wednesday of a federal extension of unemployment benefits, the Bidigares and other local families were cited by U.S. Rep. Sander Levin in his push for legislation.
Levin read aloud from a letter sent to him by Donna Bidigare describing her unemployed husband’s struggles trying to find a job. A machinist for 30 years, Steven Bidigare was laid off seven weeks ago and he fears that the auto industry’s woes will mean that he will be jobless for many more weeks to come.
In the meantime, the couple is without health insurance, which especially worries Donna, a breast cancer survivor who is unable to work.
“With the job market as bleak as it is today, the fear that unemployment benefits may run out is something no family should have to face,” Bidigare wrote.
“The president and Congress must be made to understand that what is happening to the workers of this country, and most especially to the people of Michigan, is not something they’ve chosen for themselves. This is a situation far beyond the workers’ control and we need help until the situation improves.”
Levin read excerpts to the House Ways and Means Committee as they began working on a bill that would extend unemployment benefits by 13 weeks, or 26 weeks in high-unemployment states like Michigan.
Though the president’s economic advisers have not declared the onset of a recession, supporters of the bill point to estimates that 3.5 million Americans will run out of unemployment benefits this year. The U.S. economy lost 232,000 jobs in the first three months of this year and long-term unemployment is more prevalent than in recent recessions.
Levin, a Royal Oak Democrat who represents most of Macomb County, read from several constituent letters as he argued for the legislation.
David Leach, an accountant from Southfield, wrote that he lost his house after losing his jobless benefits last October.
James and Cindy Gehart of Sterling Heights said they both lost their jobs last year after working for 35 years for the Farmer Jack supermarket chain. Cindy’s unemployment benefits ran out in January and James’ jobless pay will run dry in three weeks. While looking for work they are dipping into their savings to pay $600 a month for health insurance.
Victoria Seckler of Sterling Heights said she has applied for more than 200 jobs, including “basic, $8-per-hour jobs,” but has had no success. Seckler said she has spent all her savings and drained her IRA account while paying medical bills prompted by treatment of a kidney tumor.
“No one in this country should have to live like this,” she wrote. “For so many of us previously middle class and upper-class, we are now in poverty.”
The committee is expected to vote on the bill today and, if it passes, it would move to the House floor for approval.
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To Contact Congressman Levin: -
Email Congressman Levin In Michigan: 27085 Gratiot Ave, Roseville, MI 48066 | (586) 498-7122 | (248) 968-2025
In Washington: 1236 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 | (202) 225-4961
