Governor Rell Urges U.S. Senate for Quick Passage

Of Emergency Unemployment Relief

Letter to Senate Leadership Urges Vote

Before Holiday Recess to Ensure Uninterrupted Jobless Benefits

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced she has written to the leadership of the U.S. Senate urging the chamber to vote on final passage of a bill that would extend jobless benefits to thousands of Connecticut residents before Congress recesses for the holidays.

            The $636.3 billion Defense Appropriations Bill, approved Wednesday by the House, contains key emergency relief measures – a two-month extension in unemployment benefits and COBRA coverage. In her letter to Sens. Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell, the Governor said she is mindful that some may find provisions of the broad-based bill unpalatable or controversial, but encouraged action on the portions that will provide immediate relief to the unemployed.

            “This is legislation that absolutely cannot wait until the holidays,” Governor Rell wrote. “These unemployment benefits have provided stability to those families who have had to cope with the loss of one – or even two paychecks. Until we fully recover from this recession, these families fight an uphill battle to make ends meet each month and remain in dire need of this economic lifeline.

            “The loss of more than 70,000 jobs in Connecticut over the past year has had devastating effects on our families. They and families across America are relying on your leadership to move this appropriations bill to a final vote and passage before your chamber adjourns. I am confident you will not let them down,” the Governor wrote.

            Over the past few months, Governor Rell has recommended to the Connecticut Congressional delegation many proposals for unemployment relief for Congress to consider.  Those proposals include:

• Stimulus funds to states to replenish their Unemployment Trust Funds
• Full federal funding of extended unemployment benefits for an additional year to December 31, 2010
• Extend by one year interest-free federal loans to states until December 31, 2011 for Unemployment Trust Funds
• Extend the filing date for emergency unemployment compensation an additional year to Dec 31, 2010
• Delay by one year (until 2012) mandatory tax increases in the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) that all employers must pay to support the unemployment insurance program. Under federal law, tax increases are required when a state has outstanding Trust Fund loans for two years.         

             “For now, however, portions of the Defense Appropriations bill can provide some relief in the short term and that is why its immediate passage is critical,” the Governor said.