Workers in the U.S. are staring down the precipice as lawmakers fail to address the economic ravages of the pandemic. Even as some 21 million people remain unemployed, the $600 per week in additional unemployment insurance created by Congress’s coronavirus relief package, the CARES Act, is set to expire on July 31. Student debt payments will resume on October 1 for the 34 million federal student loan borrowers whose loans were suspended by CARES. But perhaps no cliff is as steep as the early care and education sector, which may be cut in half by the time the pandemic is over. To save it, the sector will need an infusion of at least $50 billion. But so far, despite how essential child care is to restarting the economy, Congress has been unwilling to meet the crisis with the resources required to stave off a crisis. - Truthout
Thursday, July 16, 2020
Child care money crisis
Though this is potentially a huge thing, there hasn't been much about it in corporate media.
Did you read this little plea to Speaker Pelosi and Minority Leader McCarthy from Tom Emmer ?
ReplyDelete"Minnesota families rely on child care providers to be able to go to their jobs. As our economy begins to rebound and Americans return to work, child care providers will be more critical to working families than ever. This pandemic has hit these providers hard. With an increased need for personal protective equipment and less children attending school, child care providers have struggled to stay open. These providers offer an essential service and are vital to our economic recovery. I urge all my colleagues to ensure they are supported during this time."
How much are you willing to bet that whatever they come up with in the next relief package that Tom Emmer will vote NO ... proclaiming that we cannot afford it.
Oh, let's remember that on March 6, Emmer was on MPR suggesting that a vaccine was — “I heard it could be imminent” … “much sooner than a year” and that if the corona virus was going to happen, “I would rather be here” with our healthcare system than Canada.
Gosh, I wonder if he still feels that way with Canada having a reported 8,852 deaths ... and a couple of states have already passed that tally, with California, Florida and Texas likely to top their numbers before this is over.
BTW ... did you hear that Canada won't allow US baseball teams to play in Toronto and the US-Canada border will remained closed for at least another month.