Sequester cuts unemployment benefits for 28,000 Oregonians
PORTLAND, Ore. – The automatic sequester of Federal funds is reducing unemployment benefits for more than 28,000 Oregonians, the state employment department said.
The cuts affect people receiving Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC). Their weekly benefits will be cut by 10.7 percent beginning the week of March 31, the department said. They will be reflected in checks mailed the week of April 7.
More than 28,000 people receiving EUC benefits will be notified of the cuts by mail early next month.
- Learn more: Oregon Employment Department
Tom Fuller with the employment department said their website will be updated regularly when more information about the cuts is available.
Anyone with questions about the cuts can call 503-947-1342 or 1-800-237-3710, ext. 71342.
Those receiving regular unemployment benefits will not be affected.
Fuller also said Federal cuts to employment service state grants could mean a reduction of job search assistance and employer recruitment activities.
It's interesting to see the folks I've known on unemployment magically find jobs within a month or so of their benefits being terminated. Frankly, six months is plenty of time for a competent person to find a job. It may not be a job in their career field, but they can get SOMETHING to support themselves so they're not forever leeching off other workers. After six months of benefits, people should only be allowed unemployment benefit extensions if they're submitting pay stubs from temp labor agencies, and the government could pay benefits matching the amount people actually earn. This would at least encourage people to get working again. And yes, you CAN look for a job in your field even while working a temp labor job somewhere.. I've done it, so can other people..Â
 More than 28,000 people receiving EUC benefits will be notified of the cuts by mail early next month. I'm sure some of those in prison will be devastated to not receive their weekly checks.
Typical Fed move, make us pay pay pay, and hurt us in every way.
@The Resistance Have you paid the Arts tax and Crayon tax yet
They're not going to trim fat, they're going to cut where it hurts people. Â That way they can scream the sky is falling, people believe them and they can get more tax dollars from us. Â I've spent an adult life working for the government at various levels. Â The ONLY time they worry about spending money is when they run out. Â And the person writing all the checks couldn't care less where it goes because there is no accountability for wasting tax money. Â There are lots of ways they can cut spending and no one will notice or suffer from it, but that won't get them more.
Let's put politicians on piece work
well I hope people will enjoy drinking a toxic chemical for the poor people in Portland..http://portlandtribune.com/pt/9-news/129349-portland-school-board-endorses-city-fluoride-measure
I am curious as to why this was cut, instead of a federal hiring freeze being imposed.
@Saltire Cronyism
@Saltire I am curious as to why this was cut???? And yet you are a republican..
Well rick santorum said "We republicans will never get the smart vote"
Here's your sign...
@uknow2
I'm not a Republican, nor a Democrat. Here's your sign....for being presumptuous. :) Â
But we can find millions of dollars for Syria and Egypt ?
@Rob C 503Â Well big oil still got their $20 million tax break/ kick back
But the massive amount of $$$ going to Foriegn Aid is constantly flowing..... LOL!
And does " Joe average citizen" really thinks he counts?  Now you know where the priority lies,  and it isnt with him.
@Fed up So I guess you are againt Israel? Be careful the right wing will be after you.
The sequester of federal funds isn't stopping DHS from buying 2,700 light-armored tanks.. for some reason.Â
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2013/03/obama-dhs-purchases-2700-light-armored-tanks-to-go-with-their-1-6-billion-bullet-stockpile/@axpman Anyone who spots these vehicles needs to take a pic and post the location.
@axpman*Sigh* Do you guys just believe anything you find on the internet?
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/41701_Fake_Story_About_DHS_Tanks_Still_Spreading_Through_Right_Wing_Talk_Radio
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/page/294634_Factchecking-_Obama_DHS_Purcha
"In summary, the 2,700 vehicles are not for DHS but the USMC by way of the US Navy."
They aren't tanks and they aren't for DHS.@Max Quinn I'm sure you'd also claim DHS purchasing all those hollow point rounds is a bunch of crap as well, regardless of the fact they had the bid up on the federal purchasing site.
@axpman @Max Quinn I didn't claim that the tank thing is BS - I just pointed out the fact that it is.
So now you're falling back on the bullet thing... I thought that those bullets were supposed to be put to use after the election to impose martial law. No? Hmmmmm... Probably in case there's a government shutdown later this month - that's it! Quick, get in touch with inforwars.com!
@Max Quinn @axpman Â
Actually, the DoD and USMC did transfer 16 of their 2700 vehicles to DHS. In doing so, a precedent was set for transfer of additional military equipment to DHS. So, yes, the DHS does not have 2700 vehicles, but it does have 16 and the process for obtaining more.
@Max Quinn  @axpmanÂ
Just trying to keep it accurate. This time. :)
@Saltire @Max Quinn @axpman Thanks. Though, I'll note that 16 vehicles is not 2700 tanks...
@BentnWasted Remember: FRank Marshall Davis, Jr. (alias Beerack Obama) initiated sequester- just ask Woodward!
Cut foreign aid to all of the foreign governments that are having suitcases of cash being delivered to them (karzi) so that they will be our "friend". It never works when one tries to buy a friendship.
Our legal citizens that are on EUC are getting a minor amount compared to the US tax dollars that are being given to illegals in the US in free public aid.Â
@FreerideNOT LOL foreign policy and giving aid has NOTHING to do with "buying friendships."Â How silly.
@EdgarDerby @FreerideNOT Are you being sarcastic or stupid? I can't tell.
"we the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union...."
There's a reason the Preamble to our Constitution begins with those words: Government is us. So when republicans like grover norquist say they want to choke government and make it small enough to drown in a bathtub, they mean they want to "choke" and "drown" us ... you and me; we, the people.
@sargerator Wow. Your logic is....well, frightening.
@Nobody @sargerator I would hardly call that "logic."Â
@EdgarDerby It's called the cold hard truth...
@Nobody @sargerator To someone void of the concepts of OUR constitution...maybe !
@Nobody @sargerator I'm surprised he didn't have link on that last one.
@sargerator @Billy Batts @Nobody Yes and maybe 200 years ago it meant what you say. Now though the government is out of control and has taken over all aspects of our lives. You can't tell me the founders are not rolling over in our grave with the over reaching our government has done in the name of "we the people"...
@Billy Batts @Nobody @sargerator WOW , I guess some people are so inept at "googling" , besides, I learned this in grade school !
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html
Good get your butts out there and get a job. I see almost every grocery store, gas station and old folks home is hiring. Get out of the house and get a job son!!!!!!!!!!! Quit being a moooooooooocccchhhhh.
Why are things like foreign aid never cut? Whenever there's a cut it always happens to health, safety and security programs, and improving educational efforts. Somehow those always get identified first, instead of last. I guess we have to give out foreign aid, never-ending assistance to illegal aliens, and continue with pet projects, like bridges, max transit, alternative energy sources. The USA is turning into an obscene reality show! Â Â
@jpk Because foreign aid is such a minuscule portion of the budget, cutting it doesn't solve any significant problem.
@Festivus @jpk It doesn't really matter how small. We need to take care of our own first. Instead we give the handouts to the foreign countries, not to mention weapons to groups like The Muslim Brotherhood.
Everything adds up and collective amount saved could be used here at home.
Isolationism is not bad! Take care of this country and it's legal residents FIRST! Then, IF we have any money left, give charitably to those others who need it; not to those who demand it to remain "loyal" to our policies! Â
@scoreboard @Festivus @jpk We have a model for what happens when the US becomes too isolationist to the world's problems - think pre-WWII America and the folks like Lindbergh who tried (and succeeded for far too long) to keep us out of that conflict.
Likewise, we have a model for what happens when we get too involved - think Vietnam or Iraq.
I tend to think the small amount of treasure we spend on foreign aid strikes a better balance than either of the other alternatives. Â Not without some caveats, of course.
Foreign aid is like giving money to a panhandler so he doesn't beat you up. Foreign aid is extortion! The US doesn't give away this loose change just to be nice. Foreign "democracies" depend on it to exist, and the US depends on their good will. Cut foreign aid and let them exist on their own money, or lack of it. Why should US taxpayers ease the fiscal problems of countries that do nothing except come back with their hands out?Â
@jpk you do realize foreign aid is just a phrase. it's more like "we'll give you money and you let us control this part of the economy and political policy".
Sorry if I appear to be naive reference to political reality. The bottom line is I don't like "greasing the palm" of someone who has no intention to do anything in furtherance of our goals, except in collecting our handouts! I still believe charity begins at home. And this country would be better off if the foreign aid were spent here in the good ole USA!
@jpk I can see this both ways. On the one hand...why are we funding Syria and the likes? On the other hand, you have to grease the palm of someone else, just so you have an "in" later.Â
Welcome to politics!Â
@jpk But let's be honest.  If all that foreign aid money were kept here, my bet is that many conservatives would still complain if those dollars were earmarked for welfare, subsidized housing, better healthcare for the poor....all those "suckling the government teet" entitlement programs that entitle people to eat and see a doctor when they're sick.
I still say that paying someone to like you is wrong! This country cannot and should not be the world's savior. We have enough problems here in this country, and no one sends us foreign aid, not even pay their past incurred debts. And no, the end doesn't justify the means! Â
@jpk It sure is nice to have friends around the world when you need 'em.  Like it or not, spreading around a little of the largess greases the skids of some of these friendships.  Sure, it's a little distasteful sometimes, but the empiricist in me cares more about the outcome.
As for the rest of the aid, much if not most of it is spent just plain helping people who are hungry, sick, or otherwise suffering. Â Not a bad way to spend a buck and get the appreciation of the locals at the same time. Â
Soon we'll get to join Greece and Spain with our unending spending of borrowed money! I mean street demonstrations of disenfranchised groups of poor citizens! Sure hope this mess gets turned around peacefully!
@jpk No, we won't.  We're not beholden to a currency run by a multi-national agreement.
Are you sure? Our economy and fiscal policy are now global, even if we don't have a universal currency. Â
@jpk Well we have to borrow more to pay for the tax cuts to the rich..
As long as the Chinese don't run out of money to lend us! LOL
@jpk My crystal ball is no better than anyone else's, but the US, with sovereign control over our currency, has options available that Greece does not in keeping us out of a similar situation.  Our debt as a percentage of GDP is way, way lower than Greece's well into the observable future.