Washington — Legislation extending unemployment insurance for the long-term jobless faces a key test vote in the Senate, its momentum helped by about 60 popular tax breaks for individuals and businesses that expired at the end of last year.
The measure also prevents doctors from absorbing a crippling cut in Medicare payments, extends health insurance subsidies for the unemployed and gives cash-starved states help with Medicaid, the federal-state program providing health care to the poor and disabled.
The unemployment insurance alone — to provide weekly unemployment checks averaging above $300 to people whose core 26-week benefit package has run out — will cost $66 billion through December. In some states people are eligible to receive benefits for up to 99 weeks.
The bill, and the test vote Tuesday, demonstrate the difficulty Democrats face as they focus on jobs.
It doesn't include new ideas for boosting jobs, but instead reprises elements of last year's $862 billion economic stimulus bill, which is earning mixed reviews from voters.
Simply extending those provisions has produced a far more expensive measure than a separate so-called jobs bill that Democrats hope to soon send to President Barack Obama.
Local News
Senate to take up unemployment insurance extension
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Keep the Romance Alive
When it comes to romance, Russell Smith is full of all kinds of little surprises.
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First Place - Russell Smith: Romance a process that never ends
To The Groom;
Your new marriage will be a winding path of trials and tribulations that will not only test the love you feel for that special women you vowed to love and cherish, but also add resounding depths of meaning and love that you have no way of comprehending. -
Second Place - Misty Maldonado: Love, respect and communication help create strong bond
We are a one-of-a-kind couple. Since the day we met 2-28-08, we have not spent one day apart and especially not even one night.
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Third Place - Michelle Kraft: It’s the small things throughout the year that mean the most
My husband Mike and I have been together for a little over 11 years now. While we do the dinners out and big gifts for birthdays and anniversaries, we find it’s the small things done throughout the year that mean the most.
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Water: EAA lifts Stage 1
The Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) on Monday lifted Stage I pumping restrictions for a major portion of the region, but with a cautionary note: a return to Stage I is certain without additional rainfall in the near future.
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Sutton is new CFO at CTMC
Central Texas Medical Center on Monday hosted a breakfast reception to mark the arrival of its new VP/Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jesse Sutton.
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Area gasoline prices on rise
Average retail gasoline prices in the Austin area have risen 2.7 cents a gallon in the past week, averaging $3.40 a gallon.
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'Singing Valentine'
- Manufacturers to meet
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ON THE FLIP SIDE
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First Person: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
