Economy

Congress leaves town without a coronavirus stimulus deal, allowing $600 unemployment benefit to end

By Alanna Joyner / August 3, 2020 / Comments Off on Congress leaves town without a coronavirus stimulus deal, allowing $600 unemployment benefit to end

Another round of coronavirus relief package talks began today, as Congress adjourned for the weekend without coming to any deal on the program or a larger emergency stimulus package. The $600 weekly unemployment benefit that helped 32 million Americans stay afloat, officially ended on Friday — leaving unemployed Americans in limbo while Congress continues to…

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The News & Observer: With weekly $600 gone, NC unemployment benefits alone are not enough, workers say

By Alanna Joyner / July 29, 2020 / Comments Off on The News & Observer: With weekly $600 gone, NC unemployment benefits alone are not enough, workers say

As Congress debates how to shape the next phase of coronavirus relief, the extra $600 federal unemployment benefits that were legislated through the CARES Act have now expired for millions across the country.  The last payment rolled out this past weekend, as the House and Senate are considering different economic stimulus packages.  Instead of extending…

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Millions of Americans are about to experience utility shutoffs, evictions and loss of homes

By Alanna Joyner / July 28, 2020 / Comments Off on Millions of Americans are about to experience utility shutoffs, evictions and loss of homes

Numerous moratorium on evictions across the nation, including in North Carolina, are set to end in the coming days. According to a Census Bureau survey, almost 24 million Americans say that they don’t expect to be able to make their next monthly rent or mortgage payment, as the blockage of utility charges and the eviction…

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Senate Republicans, White House seek to reduce weekly unemployment benefit from $600 to $200

By Alanna Joyner / July 27, 2020 / Comments Off on Senate Republicans, White House seek to reduce weekly unemployment benefit from $600 to $200

This week, millions of North Carolinians and people across the country will see a drastic reduction in unemployment benefits as the additional $600 federal UI  is set to stop at the end of the month.  In March, the federal government agreed to send an additional $600 to unemployed workers from the CARES Act. Talks of…

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Progressive Pulse: As the General Assembly adjourns, it leaves money on the table while needs go unmet

By Alanna Joyner / July 14, 2020 / Comments Off on Progressive Pulse: As the General Assembly adjourns, it leaves money on the table while needs go unmet

The General Assembly adjourned on Saturday, with lawmakers coming back into session on Sept. 2. In its most recent legislative session, Republican lawmakers did not set aside politics on many issues, but rather ignored public health officials and sought to force the reopening of the state. During an unprecedented moment, the demands of the wealthy…

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Charlotte Observer: Are you serious about reopening the NC economy, Republicans? Then act like it.

By Alanna Joyner / June 22, 2020 / Comments Off on Charlotte Observer: Are you serious about reopening the NC economy, Republicans? Then act like it.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, the concerns of Republican lawmakers have not been towards the people of North Carolina, but rather corporate profits. Despite various public health safety measures implemented by Gov. Roy Cooper based on health officials and White House guidelines, Republican lawmakers have continued to push bills that undo months of…

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WRAL: Long-standing, unmet priorities are even more critical now

By Alanna Joyner / May 20, 2020 / Comments Off on WRAL: Long-standing, unmet priorities are even more critical now

Two weeks after meeting to approve a $1.6 billion package that distributed COVID-19 funds from Washington, the North Carolina General Assembly resumed its annual session on Monday.  Republicans in the N.C. Senate unveiled spending priorities on Tuesday for the coming fiscal year, rolling out more than 18 separate bills. The N.C. house has yet to…

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After being raided by FBI, Sen. Richard Burr steps down from Intelligence Committee chair

By Alanna Joyner / May 18, 2020 / Comments Off on After being raided by FBI, Sen. Richard Burr steps down from Intelligence Committee chair

U.S. Senator Richard Burr is temporarily stepping down as Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee as federal investigators look into timely stock sales he and his wife made after receiving coronavirus briefings from U.S. public health officials. This comes after federal agents served a search warrant on the lawmaker and seized a cellphone on Wednesday…

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Sen. Richard Burr’s brother-in-law sold thousands in stocks the same day as Burr

By Alanna Joyner / May 11, 2020 / Comments Off on Sen. Richard Burr’s brother-in-law sold thousands in stocks the same day as Burr

According to a federal Public Financial Disclosure Act filing, Gerald Fauth, U.S. Sen. Richard Burr’s brother-in-law, sold six stocks valued at between $97,006 and $280,000. The stock sales were conducted on the same day that Burr and his wife dumped over $1.72 million of their stock holdings. All the sales were made after Burr attended…

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NC legislature passes COVID-19 relief, without expanding jobless benefits or Medicaid

By Alanna Joyner / May 4, 2020 / Comments Off on NC legislature passes COVID-19 relief, without expanding jobless benefits or Medicaid

On May 2, the North Carolina General Assembly approved a $1.57 million COVID-19 relief package. Votes in both the House and the Senate during the Saturday session were unanimous, marking the legislature’s first response to the pandemic.  The $1.57 billion package contains funding for education, health care, small business loans, food banks, medical research, testing…

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