News 12 Long Island - Nov. 30, 2010: "Congress fails to extend jobless benefits"

(11/30/10) BETHPAGE - Many unemployed Long Islanders are set to lose their unemployment benefits starting next week.

Congress had until midnight Tuesday to extend unemployment benefits for millions of Americans who are currently out of work.

Experts say of the approximately 100,000 people who are unemployed on Long Island, about 18,000 would lose their benefits by Dec. 5. Another 28,000 people could be without unemployment checks by the end of the year.

Mark Grossman, of the New York State Department of Labor, says the depth of this recession means it's taking longer for unemployed Americans to find jobs, and many need training for new careers.

"So it's important we provide that safety net," he says.

Labor economist Gary Huth says people who are out of work spend the money right away on things such as food and rent, stimulating the local economy.

"This is not the time to pull the rug out from a recovery that's starting," Huth says.

Republicans have objected to extending the benefits again because they say the $12.5 billion cost will only add to the deficit.

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[markjgrossman]

Hello GreatGazoo12 -- We’d like to discuss the services you experienced with your local One-Stop. Will you please visit the New York State Department of Labor's Facebook page and send us a message? Thank you.

[greatgazoo12]

Resume advise? How about job notification. I'm a 99'er who has just run out of benefits with out a job. During my entire 99 weeks I have only received 5 (FIVE) job notifications from the department of labor. I already knew about all FIVE of these because they were posted on all of the local job search web sites before I received anything from the Binghamton office. I think that 99 percent of your services could easily be outsourced to Indian telemarketers and NY would save a bundle.