Since 1968 the inflation-adjusted value of the minimum wage has declined by 31 percent.The minimum wage would be more than $10.50 per hour today if it had kept up with inflation. This decrease has occurred even as workers have become more productive. Over the same period of time, productivity—the measure of output per hour of work—increased by 124 percent.
Make Saving for Retirement Easier, Cheaper and More Secure
An increasing number of households are at risk of seeing their standard of living decline in retirement due to a lack of sufficient retirement savings.
Lower Monthly Housing Costs by Providing Homeowners with Principal Foregiveness
Although housing markets are beginning to recover from the collapse of the housing bubble, more than one in five homeowners are still “underwater” on their loans, meaning that they owe more on their mortgages than their loans are worth. Not only does this threaten individual homeowners, but the more than $600 billion in negative equity also significantly hampers economic recovery.
Paid sick days should be available to all U.S. workers. Implementing this policy would provide greater job security to millions of Americans, reduce worker turnover, and ultimately strengthen the middle class.
There are currently no federal laws guaranteeing workers the right to earn paid sick days. Nearly 40 percent of workers in middle-income families and more than 55 percent of workers in low-income families do not have access to paid sick days. Twenty-three percent of adults report either being threatened with losing a job or being fired for taking time off when they or a family member have been sick.
Make Sure That Workers Who Want to Form a Union Can Do So
Unionshelp strengthen the middle class by enabling workers to negotiate for fair wages and benefits and helping ordinary citizens get involved in the political process.
But as unions became weaker over the past four decades—due in part to an unfair union election process—they became less able to perform these functions. The middle class has withered as a result, with the share of income going to the middle class falling alongside the percentage of workers in unions. (see Figure 5)
Require Colleges to Provide Consumer Information Via College Scorecards
Two-thirds of students with four-year bachelor’s degrees finish their studies with student-loan debt, and the average amount of debt per student is nearly $25,000. (see Figure 6) Yet average debt loads at schools can range from $950 or less to $55,250, and graduation rates range from0 percent to 91 percent. Many students, however, are unaware of these differences.
The federal government should require colleges and universities to do a better job of providing pertinent information to prospective students concerning their likelihood of graduating, finding employment, and paying off student debt. Schools should be required to direct students to this information on all promotional materials to allow students to easily compare schools.
For all of the wonky details, check out the full report HERE.
BOTTOM LINE: Instead of continuing the painful austerity spending cuts we’re currently living under, we can and should make needed investments in the middle class, such as expanding access to preschool and child care, as part of a package that reduces the deficit over the longer term. And there’s also no reason not to immediately put in place a set of pro-middle class, pro-growth policies that won’t require any additional federal spending.
The Golden Tennis Shoe Awards are always exciting for me, but I’m particularly excited for this year as Dr. Jill Biden is going to be speaking with us! She’s an incredible person, and I can’t wait to talk with her — and with you.
Here are the details:
Monday, April 29
Noon Luncheon and Speaking Program
11:30 Registration Opens
The Golden Tennis Shoe Awards are a time to celebrate the accomplishments and service of those in Washington state who work to make our state better. And with Dr. Biden in attendance, I know it will be an extra-special day.
The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) act requires companies with 100 or more employees to notify affected workers 60 days prior to closures and layoffs.
WARN data include the name of the employer, business location, number of affected workers, type (layoff or closure) and effective date of layoff or closure. The U.S. Department of LaborEmployment and Training Administration has more information about WARN.
NOTE: Employment Security recently changed the server address for the WARN RSS feeds. If you previously subscribed but haven’t received updates lately, please update your RSS reader to point to the new URL above.
Sign up for RSS and receive WARN information in your feed reader as soon as it is published on Employment Security’s Web site.
Sign up for the WARN listserv and receive WARN information by email as soon as it is published on Employment Security’s Web site.
The date Employment Security receives a WARN notice (right-hand column) determines the order in which the information is displayed. You can change the results shown in each column by clicking on the column heading.
I can’t believe it’s 2013. Judging by the latest slew of anti-choice laws being passed in the states right now, you might think it was 1973 all over again.
It’s dangerous right now for women. In Kansas, Arkansas, North Dakota and other states across the country, women are at risk of losing their constitutional right to choose. That is why we are launching a hard-hitting campaign to stop the onslaught of abortion bans nationwide.
We need you with us today, standing strong, and sending a clear message to anti-choice forces that they can’t get away with this. Will you make a generous donation right now?
Women in all 50 states are counting on you and me to be their voice.
Friends, NARAL Pro-Choice America can’t be the watchful eye for women alone. We need you with us right now.
We’re going to stand up and let politicians know that they can’t strip women of their rights without hearing from millions of us across America. They think they can pass these laws and we won’t notice? They think they can take away women’s reproductive rights and nobody will lift a finger to stop them?
Well you know what? I’ve had enough. And I’m sure you have too. We have to stand together and stop these attacks.
Are you with me? Please make a generous donation right now.
Together we can help make choice real for all women,
Ilyse G. Hogue President, NARAL Pro-Choice America
US Capitol (Photo credit: DC Public Library Commons)
The Senate stands in adjournment until 9:30am on Thursday, April 25, 2013.
Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 10:30am with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.
At 10:30am, the Senate will recess for one hour to allow for a Senators-only briefing.
During Wednesday’s session, cloture was filed on S.743.
As a result, the filing deadline for all first degree amendments to the bill is 1:00pm on Thursday. Unless an agreement is reached, Senators should expect the cloture vote on Friday morning.
The Senate has resumed consideration of S.743, Marketplace Fairness Act.
Senator Collins asked unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment in order to call up Collins amendment #744, to provide a limitation on when States may first exercise the authority under this Act.
Senator Wyden reserved his right to object and then Senator Baucus objected to the request.
The managers of the bill will continue to work on an agreement to consider amendments to the bill. However, if no agreement can be reached we would proceed to the cloture vote 1 hour after the Senate convenes tomorrow.
Senator Coburn asked unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendments in order to call up the following amendments:
– Coburn #753 (delinquent tax debts and Federal employment)
– Coburn #767 (duplicative and overlapping programs)
– Coburn #766 (prohibit presidential election campaign funds for part conventions)
Senator Durbin objected to setting aside the pending amendment and said that he would take a look at the amendments to see if we can come up with an agreement to consider them. Some of the amendments would create a blue slip issue in the House, a situation he would like to avoid.
Senator Coburn also expressed his intent to call up an amendment regarding the tax exempt status of sport organizations.
Hatch asked unanimous consent that the following amendments be in order to S.743, Marketplace Fairness Act:
Collins 744 or Collins 771
Ayotte 759, as amended
Coats 765
Thune 764 with GAO study/Thune 778 without GAO study
Coburn 753
Coburn 767
Thune 743
Lee 768
Ayotte 763
Hatch 754
Portman 772
Cruz 794
Coats 797
Portman 792
Paul 755
Cruz 799
Ayotte 776
That there be up to 1 hour for debate equally divided on each amendment prior to a vote in relation to the amendment.
Senator Durbin objected.
The managers of the bill continue to work on an agreement to consider amendments in an effort to complete action on the bill.
Senator Durbin asked unanimous consent the pending Enzi amendment be set aside and it be in order for the following amendments to be called up:
– Collins-King #771 (provides a limitation on when States may first exercise the authority under this Act)
– Pryor-Blunt #740 (extends for 10 years the moratorium on taxes on internet access and multiple and discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce imposed by the Internet Freedom Act)
– Hatch #754 (strikes the preemption provision, to sunset the authority under the Act, to require a 3-year statute of limitations)
That no second degree amendments be in order to any of these amendments prior to a vote in relation to the amendments. That there be 20 minutes for debate equally divided.
Senator Wyden objected.
5:36pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.743, the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013
Invoked: 63-30.
During Thursday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to Calendar #44, S.601, the Water Resources Development Act of 2013. The cloture vote will be on Monday, May 6th following disposition of S.743, the Marketplace Fairness Act (the 3rd roll call vote in a series beginning at 5:30pm).
The Senate has reached an agreement to vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #42 David Medine- to be Chairman and Member of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board for a term expiring January 29, 2018 at a time to be determined. The details of the agreement are below.
At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #42 David Medine- to be Chairman and Member of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board for a term expiring January 29, 2018. There will be one hour of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination.
WRAP UP
ROLL CALL VOTES
1) Motion to invoke cloture on S.743, the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013; Invoked: 63-30
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Passed S.853, a bill to prevent continued flight delays related to furloughs of essential employees of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and for other purposes. *If the Senate receives a bill from the House that is identical to S.853, that bill will be considered read three times and passed.
Adopted S.Res.115, a resolution commending the heroism, courage, and sacrifice of Sean Collier, an officer in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Police Department, Martin Richard, an 8-year-old resident of Dorchester, Massachusetts, Krystle Campbell, a native of Medford Massachusetts, Lu Lingzi, a student at Boston University, and all the victims who are recovering from injuries caused by the attacks in Boston, Massachusetts, including Richard Donohue, Jr., an officer in the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Transit Police Department.
Adopted S.Res.116, designating September 26, 2013 as “National Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Day”.
Adopted S.Res.118, Supporting the designation of April as Parkinson’s Awareness Month.
Adopted S.Res.119, Supporting the goals and ideals of World Malaria Day.
Adopted S.Res.120, Supporting the mission and goals of 2013 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
Adopted S.Res.121, expressing support for the designation of May 1, 2013, as “Silver Star Service Banner Day”.
Adopted S.Res.122, recognizing the historic significance of the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo.
Adopted S.Res.123, Congratulating the University of Minnesota women’s ice hockey team on winning its second straight National Collegiate Athletic Association Women’s Ice Hockey Championship.
Adopted S.Res.124, Legal Counsel resolution regarding Whitnum v. Town of Greenwich memo.
Adopted S.Res.125, designating April 30, 2013, as “Dia de los Ninos: Celebrating Young Americans”.
Completed the Rule 14 process of S.788, to suspend FY2013 sequestration. (Reid)
EXECUTIVE ITEMS
Confirmed the following items:
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Executive Calendar #24 Christopher J. Meade, to be General Counsel for the Department of the Treasury
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Executive Calendar #25 William B. Schultz, to be General Counsel of the Department of Health and Human Services
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Executive Calendar #61 Jenny R. Yang, to be a Member of the Equal Opportunity Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2017
MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
11:04:57 A.M.
The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:07 P.M.
The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 25.
12:00:50 P.M.
Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
12:01:58 P.M.
The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:02:12 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Brownley of CA to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:41 P.M.
ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
12:42:00 P.M.
of January 3, 2013, the Speaker appointed Mrs. Gayle Harrell, Stuart, FL.
12:43:10 P.M.
H. Res. 178
Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 178 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 527) to amend the Helium Act to complete the privatization of the Federal helium reserve in a competitive market fashion that ensures stability in the helium markets while protecting the interests of American taxpayers, and for other purposes.”
12:46:50 P.M.
H. Res. 178
DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 178.
1:33:10 P.M.
H. Res. 178
An amendment, offered by Mr. Bishop (UT), for the Speaker to entertain motions to suspend the rules on April 26, 2013.
1:33:44 P.M.
H. Res. 178
On agreeing to the Bishop (UT) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
1:57:05 P.M.
H. Res. 178
On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 231 – 177 (Roll no. 124).
1:57:06 P.M.
H. Res. 178
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:00:00 P.M.
HIT POLICY COMMITTEE – Pursuant to section 13101 of the HITECH Act (Pub. L. 111-5), and the order of the House of January 3, 2013, the Speaker appointed Mrs. Gayle Harrell of Stuart, FL.
2:01:00 P.M.
Mr. Hastings (WA) asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on April 26. Agreed to without objection.
2:02:16 P.M.
H.R. 527
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 178. H.R. 527 — “To amend the Helium Act to complete the privatization of the Federal helium reserve in a competitive market fashion that ensures stability in the helium markets while protecting the interests of American taxpayers, and for other purposes.”
2:02:21 P.M.
H.R. 527
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 527 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
2:02:35 P.M.
H.R. 527
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 178 and Rule XVIII.
2:02:37 P.M.
H.R. 527
The Speaker designated the Honorable Jason Chaffetz to act as Chairman of the Committee.
2:03:42 P.M.
H.R. 527
GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 527.
2:41:07 P.M.
H.R. 527
Mr. Hastings (WA) moved that the Committee rise.
2:41:27 P.M.
H.R. 527
On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
2:41:37 P.M.
H.R. 527
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 527 as unfinished business.
2:42:11 P.M.
ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
3:18:11 P.M.
SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
5:47:44 P.M.
Mr. Franks (AZ) moved that the House do now adjourn.
5:47:51 P.M.
On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
5:47:55 P.M.
The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on April 26, 2013.
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