I’m tired of programs that some Washington politicians proclaim created x number of jobs, when they know the numbers were probably smaller. I’m tired of "trickle-down" jobs bills from Washington. So I came up with a different proposal: a jobs bill that actually creates jobs!
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Here are the highlights of the H.E.L.P. proposal:
* Reduce unemployment to 6%
* Workers would be hired by the Federal government but work at the direction of city, county, state and federal government agencies
* The number of workers provided for local governments would be based on the severity of the local unemployment numbers (goal is to reduce county unemployment to 6%)
* All people hired must be on the current unemployment rolls
Priority given to households with two unemployed spouses, then to those out of work for the longest time period
*All workers (and their families) would be covered by the least expensive current Federal HMO option given to Federal employees (at no cost)
* Pay would be $15 per hour, 40 hour work week, no overtime allowed
* Two year contract for the jobs
*When a program employee subsequently finds a job in the private sector, the employee’s Federal health insurance will continue for 18 months (this will be an incentive for future private employers to hire these workers). After 18 months, workers would be able to continue in the Federal health insurance program at Federal employee rates.
This is a direct jobs bill. No middleman to take his cut before the first person is even hired. State and local governments would apply for workers based on need. Local governments would have to provide detailed jobs listings for these workers to fill. No currently filled positions would be eligible (couldn’t lay off current workers so that this program would ease budget shortfalls. This is meant to prohibit "churning" of jobs.)
Some of the types of jobs would be additional teachers for large classes, teacher’s aides, IT support for schools, police, libraries, etc. Local Parks & Recreation departments could hire additional counselors, maintenance, and other support personnel. States could get help with social services, IT, management consulting, maintenance, etc. The jobs could range from professional to technical to clerical to manual labor.
We have people with skills that could be of use to state and local governments. Instead of letting skills grow stale, we could put them to use for the common good. As more people work, additional economic activity will follow (new customers for private businesses), stimulating more employment in the private sector. As overall employment rises, the opportunities and needs of the private sector will increase and absorb many of these workers. By the end of the two year contract, the economy will have regained much of its strength.
In short, this program will help local communities with current needs. It will provide meaningful employment for those wanting to work. The multiplier effect of the economic activity of the newly employed people will help restore a dormant economy. It won't solve all our problems, but it still makes sense.