Signing bonuses for hiring the unemployed

[sonias]

AAS Postcards from the Lege blog 2/9/10
Signing bonuses for hiring the unemployed

Texas businesses that hire jobless workers in coming months will be eligible to get $2,000 incentive payment designed to spur the still-struggling economy under a new program unveiled this afternoon.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Texas Workforce Commission officials formally launched the "Texas Back to Work" program at an Austin conference amid hopes that the Lone Star State, still relatively strong compared to other states, can be the first nationally to emerge from the continuing recession if new jobs can be created.

Workforce commission officials said as many as 15,000 unemployed Texans could go back to work through the program, which officials already want to extend by applying for an additional $50 million in federal funding.

(snip)
Dewhurst said the Legislature last year approved $15 million in state funds for the new program. It could be extended if federal officials approve a state request for an additional $50 million, said Ann Hatchitt, the workforce commission’s director of communications.

Hatchitt said the state could realize savings through the initiative if unemployed workers get a new job and stop collecting unemployment benefits, which average approximately $7,800 in 26 weeks.

Would you look at that? Dewhurst and Perry found $15 million in the couch cushions. He and Perry were saving their pennies for the right time - you know right before the election season. :eyes:

I'm glad they're finally doing something. And of course they have their other hand extended to the Obama administration. You know those socialists in Washington that they love to hate.

Time to bring out the Ben Sargent toon again:



Sonia

[tammywammy]

1. I love the toon!

Isn't this just something else to beat Perry up with? He's always talking about state's rights and getting the federal govt out of Texas, but then he always has to turn around and beg from the big F. Just like when he declined the stimulus money for unemployment and then had to go and ask for a loan to keep the TWC afloat. I'm glad he's doing *something* to help people, but really doesn't this fly in the face of the whole Tea Bagger agenda? Isn't he asking for Obama to take on more debt to help this state? Isn't that what they're against?

[sonias]

2. It's a shell game with them

They'll be making election commercials about how they put 15,000 people back to work in Texas. You just wait for the ads. I bet they're in the works right now.

And the ads will never mention the fact the program is being primarily funded by the Feds. The lame newspapers might mention it, but most Texans don't read papers so they can get away with the ads. Making it look like they did it all by themselves. With no help from Obama's administration.

They never admit their hypocrisy - never, ever. Their heads would explode if they had to reconcile the truth with their warped way of seeing reality.:puke:


Sonia

[tammywammy]

3. I work in a republican dominated industry

There have only been a few times when I've talked politics, and not national I leave it to state. And a few people are like "why don't you like Perry?" Then I just start going down the list, and they're amazed since they haven't been paying attention they didn't realize how crappy schools are or they've forgotten the Tran Texas monstrosity. I'm always sure to mention how he was so tough refusing the stimulus money (free money!) and then turned around and took out a loan (interest!).

I think I've opened up a few eyes. I rarely talk politics here, because I'm kind of a lone wolf, but when I do I open some eyes.

[sonias]

4. Good for you

I know it's tough being on the front lines. The best way to get your foot in the door is wait till Perry puts his foot in his mouth. Usually about once a week; :evilgrin:

And then use that to open with. "Did you see where Perry let Sarah Palin say Texas was Alaska's little sister?"

:yourock: Tammy!

Sonia

[tammywammy]

5. Actually it came up this morning

A guy was saying he'd rather have Perry over KBH. I just said "really? Perry's horrible....horrible." And he admitted he didn't know much about the state level and I just said "do you know Texas ranks 43rd in high school graduation? Remember that huge eminent domain deal with the Trans-Texas fiasco? How about him fiddling with the Board of Regents for A&M? What about Perry Homes and how there's no recourse if you build a house and it has problems?"

Then he was like "okay I get it, you don't like him" and I just said "he's bad for this state, he's not doing anything good and then when you do turn around he talks about secession? He's a horrible governor." He was also taken back when I mentioned how bad the schools are getting.

I was only at the tip of the iceberg too. This other guy said he really likes the new KBH ad that says something along the lines of "every for years you vote in Perry and the other three you wonder why you did."

[sonias]

6. Classic buyers remorse line

"Every for years you vote in Perry and the other three you wonder why you did". And if the Rs in your place of work vote for KBH that's good for us too. Perry is still going to win the primary runoff.

:applause:


Sonia