To: Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-54)
Ass Mem. Ridley-Thomas and Sen. Lieu: Extend state unemployment insurance.
The California state legislature must extend the state unemployment insurance (UI) program immediately. The long-term unemployed in California are facing an emergency situation, since the federal government has failed to pass another UI Extension bill after the state benefits run out. California's unemployment remains extremely high at 8% "officially", and there is still a a very large job shortage
Why is this important?
I was laid off my job with a mortgage company in 2008 when the economy began collapsing. For two years I could not find a job anywhere in Los Angeles. Since then I have worked on temporary and short term jobs while looking for a permanent position. Unemployment benefits, temporary jobs and my savings have kept me afloat, but that is all gone now and I may not be able to pay my rent and meet my bills for the first time since the extension benefits ended. I am asking my state legislators to extend unemployment benefits since the federal House of Representatives refuses to do so.