Jobs News
Crafty Nevada Business Owner Says the American Jobs Act Would Remove a Roadblock to Growth
Posted by on November 28, 2011 at 9:48 AM EDTThe White House Business Council invited small business owners and entrepreneurs from across the country to a forum we hosted with Business Forward earlier this month. While they were here, we spoke to some of the people we met about the secrets of their success, and found out how the American Jobs Act will enable them to grow even more quickly in 2012.
Laura Zander and her husband Doug left San Francisco and their jobs as software engineers at the end of the dot com bubble. They first settled in a small California town and poured their savings into Zander’s store, Jimmy Beans Wool in 2002. “Jimmy” is Laura’s nickname from her husband after their favorite musician. The “Beans Wool” described the store itself: part yarn shop, part coffee shop. While the coffee was good, it was the yarn that became the hit, and Zander sold the espresso machine on eBay six months later. Knitting had been Zander’s hobby. It was now her business.
Now located in Reno, Nevada, Jimmy Beans Wool is taking off. Zander expects to sell more than $6 million worth of products this year, an almost 600 percent sales improvement over five years. Zander strives to make the online shopping experience like the real thing. Items ship within 12 hours of purchase seven days a week and customers can browse 1,000 video product reviews. Zander is also committed to corporate social responsibility. Jimmy Beans Wool sponsored six college scholarships last year and is an official sponsor of the US Snowboard and Freeskiing Teams. This summer Zander will release a book featuring celebrity-designed knitwear to launch the “Stitch Red” campaign against heart disease.
According to Zander, the President's plan to create jobs will further fuel her company’s success. “Our business is self-financed and debt free – we want to keep it that way. The only thing preventing our additional growth is the cash flow to purchase more inventory and sell more products. Through a reduction in payroll taxes, the American Jobs Act would help remove a roadblock. To put it simply, for every dollar that the American Jobs Act would save us in payroll taxes, we can increase our revenues by $2.”
Learn more about EconomySupport Your Local Businesses on “Small Business Saturday”
Posted by on November 23, 2011 at 1:00 PM EDTEd. note: This was cross-posted from the Small Business Administration's Open for Business blog
You’ve heard of Black Friday. And Cyber Monday. But did you know that this Saturday is Small Business Saturday? We’re encouraging everyone to visit a small business to do some holiday shopping this Saturday.
As President Obama said in a message out to all Small Business Saturday supporters:
From the mom-and-pop storefront shops that anchor Main Street to the high-tech startups that keep America on the cutting edge, small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the cornerstones of our Nation’s promise. These businesses create two out of every three new jobs in America, helping spur economic development in communities across our country and giving millions of families and individuals the opportunity to achieve the American dream. Through events such as Small Business Saturday, we keep our local economies strong and help maintain an American economy that can compete and win in the 21st century.
When you walk down Main Street in any city in America, you can often find great restaurants, service providers, and handcrafted, Made-in-America products from local shops. It’s wonderful to simply go in and visit with local business owners and hear what’s happening in the community.
There are many people in my life that appreciate a unique gift from a local business, like the blueberry jam I pick up at the Farmers’ Market in my hometown of Brunswick, Maine. This Saturday, I’m planning to go back to that market early in the morning, and then I will travel to Roslindale, Massachusetts, to celebrate Small Business Saturday with Boston Mayor Tom Menino. Many other top-level officials throughout the Administration are also “shopping small” this Saturday.
Everyone knows that your dollar goes a long way at when you buy a product or service from a small business. That money goes right back into the local economy. And that’s important, because half of working Americans either own or work for a small business, and small businesses create two out of every three new jobs.
It’s great to find the perfect gift from a small business. Often, when you carry it to the counter, you can see the business owner’s eyes light up. They tell a story about how that gift was made. Or where it came from. Or how it’s a one-of-a-kind. And the gift immediately becomes even more meaningful and special. Moments like that are what makes the holidays magical.
In addition to our support for Small Business Saturday, the SBA is working hard to make sure even more small businesses can keep growing. For example, we had an all-time record for SBA loans this year, with over $30 billion in lending support that helped about 60,000 small businesses buy a new building, get more equipment, or hire more workers. And, right now, the President is calling on Congress to cut in half the payroll taxes for small businesses as part of the American Jobs Act.
Let’s all do our part to support America’s small businesses as they continue to strengthen our economy and create jobs. Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Small Business Saturday, and Happy Holidays.
Learn more about EconomyPresident Obama's Record on Taxes
Posted by on November 22, 2011 at 7:25 PM EDT
President Barack Obama makes a local stop at Julien's Corner Kichen in Manchester, New Hampshire, Nov. 22, 2011, to sit-down with the Corkery family to discuss the importance of extending and expanding the payroll tax cut. Chris Corkery is a retired colonel, having served 26 years in the United States Army. Chris has been a math teacher at Manchester Central High School for the past 12 years. His wife, Kathy, a small business owner, and their two sons, Andrew and Nicholas attended. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Right now, President Obama is going all out to extend the payroll tax cut for the middle class -- and expand it for 2012.
And that effort underscores an important fact: This President has proposed and enacted thousands of dollars of tax relief for American families and small businesses.
In his first year in office, President Obama cut taxes for 95 percent of working families through the Recovery Act with the Making Work Pay tax cut.
With that same piece of legislation, he created the American Opportunity Tax Credit -- which is currently helping more than 9 million families afford the cost of college.
The Recovery Act also lowered the threshold for refunds through the Child Tax Credit -- providing a tax cut to 11.8 million working families.
The President also expanded the Earned Income Tax Credit for families with three or more children -- giving them a tax cut of up to $640 this year.
President Obama has passed tax cuts for small businesses 17 times. These measures range from allowing corporation to expense 100 percent of their new investments until the end of 2011 to creating a new deduction for health care costs for the self-employed.
And just this week, the President also signed legislation to create tax credits for businesses that hire veterans.
If Congress passes the American Jobs Act, a typical family of four would see their taxes decrease an additional $2,325 -- bringing their total tax relief to about $5,425 for the President’s first term.
That number goes up if the family is helping their kids pay college tuition.
This lower tax rate hasn't come about through happenstance. It's a product of hard work from President Obama. Those of us in the middle class have more money in our pockets because the President made it a priority.
And it's going to take more hard work between now and the end of the year to keep things that way.
Learn more about TaxesA More Sustainable Future
Posted by on November 22, 2011 at 4:30 PM EDTAll across the country, thousands of Americans spend a great amount of time commuting to their jobs. This is precious time that could be spent with their families and not sitting in traffic. As our families grow and our lives get busier, living close to work becomes vital to our quality of life. We are constantly looking for a better solution, something to make things just a little bit easier.
Now, thanks to nearly $96 million in Sustainable Communities Awards announced this week, 27 communities and 29 regions across the country will be able to establish a more livable, equitable, and economically competitive future. These funds, awarded to two grant programs, are poised to help change the face of communities across the country.
The Community Challenge Grants aim to reform and reduce barriers to achieving affordable, economically vital and sustainable communities. Awarded to large and small communities, these funds will help address local challenges to integrating transportation and housing. Funds awarded to communities may also be used to retrofit main streets to provide safer routes for children and seniors and to preserve affordable housing and local businesses near new transit stations.
The Regional Planning Grants allows grantees to support efforts that integrate housing, land-use, economic and workforce development, transportation, and infrastructure developments. This will empower regions to consider how all of these factors work together to create more jobs and economic opportunities.
As a direct result of this funding thousands of jobs will be created and will impact the lives of 45.8 million Americans. This means that 45.8 million Americans will be able to spend less time in their cars and more time at home with their families.
Read a complete summary of each grant awarded funding today.
Learn more about Economy, Urban PolicyPresident Obama: "Hire a Veteran"
Posted by on November 21, 2011 at 6:51 PM EDT
President Barack Obama signs the Veterans Opportunity to Work to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 (VOW to Hire Heroes Act), that will provide tax credits to help put veterans back to work. First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden attend the ceremony in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building South Court Auditorium, Nov. 21, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
This morning, President Obama signed the "VOW to Hire Heroes Act" into law, telling those in attendance:
Back in September, I sent Congress a jobs bill. And in it, I proposed a tax credit for any business that hires a veteran who’s been unemployed for at least four weeks. I proposed an even bigger tax break if a business hires a veteran who’s been unemployed for at least six months. And if a business hires an unemployed veteran with a disability related to their service, I proposed doubling the tax break that we already have in place.
Today, because Democrats and Republicans came together, I’m proud to sign those proposals into law. And I urge every business owner out there who’s hiring to hire a veteran right away.
The is just one of the initiatives the President has enacted in order to ensure that the country fulfills its obligation to our servicemembers and their families.
And it's just one part of the President's plan to put the American people back to work. At the bill signing, he told lawmakers that families all over the country are demanding the same kind of bold, bipartisan action.
"My message to every member of Congress is keep going," President Obama said, "Keep working."
Read more:
- Tax credits for employers who hire unemployed veterans and veterans with service-connected disabilities are just one important part of the Obama Administration's plan to to help veterans translate their military skills for the civilian workforce. New online tools are available to aid their search for jobs, and the Administration has partnered with the Chamber of Commerce and the private sector to make it easier to connect our veterans with companies that want to hire them.
- Read the story of Jason Hansman, who managed hundreds of reconstruction projects that totaled millions of dollars while serving in Iraq, but receieved only one job offer, to fill a night mall cop position.
- Read the story of Navy veteran Eric Smith, who has more than five years experience as a military medic, but works today as a hospital janitor.
- Read the story of Maria Canales, an Army veteran who spent nearly four years looking for a job because she had trouble communicating how the skills she learned in the military prepared her to be an excellent employee in the civilian workforce.
Standing by America's Heroes
Posted by on November 21, 2011 at 12:09 PM EDT
Through the course of the past decade, nearly 3 million veterans have transitioned back to civilian life. As the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan draw to a close, more than a million more service members will join them.
Each of these individuals is highly-trained, highly-skilled, and motivated. They represent some of the best America has to offer.
As a nation, we owe an obligation to these heroes, and it's easy to see how we'll benefit as much from their contributions to the civilian workforce as we have from their service in the military.
That's why creating jobs for veterans has been a major priority for President Obama.
Under his direction, the federal government has hired more than 120,000 vets. Joining Forces, led by the First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden, has organized an initative through which private businesses have pledged to hire an additional 135,000 servicemembers and military spouses. And the Obama administration has set up a series reforms and programs to help veterans get back to work -- you can learn more by visting whitehouse.gov/vets.
Today, President Obama will take another step to help fulfill our obligation to those who wear the uniform of the United States when he signs legislation to create a pair of tax credits for businesses that hire veterans.
Throughout the day, we'll share stories of veterans who will benefit from these measures. Be sure to check it out.
Hiring Vets Is Smart Business
Posted by on November 21, 2011 at 11:23 AM EDT
Today is a historic day for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. When President Obama signs the VOW to Hire Heroes Act into law, an entire generation of new vets will be provided much-needed practical support to transition from combat to careers. As an Iraq vet I am privileged to lead the membership team at Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the country’s first and largest nonpartisan organization committed to our newest veterans. And I speak for all of us when I thank the lawmakers who worked so hard together, putting aside party, to get this bill passed. We also thank the President for his leadership on the issue - for acting so quickly on this legislation and for bringing national attention to the veterans’ unemployment crisis.
Some 240,000 young vets were out of work in September 2011 alone, and with the Iraq War set to end in two months, a surge of troops will be returning home. And most of them will be looking for work.
There are moral and patriotic reasons to care for returning combat vets. But hiring vets is also smart business. The hundreds of combat patrols they’ve been on may not mean much to a civilian employer, but the millions of dollars of equipment, complex planning and logistic they had responsibility for should.
Take my story, for example. I served in Iraq as a proud noncommissioned officer in the Army from 2004-2005, managing hundreds of reconstruction projects in a Civil Affairs company that totaled millions of dollars. Armed with that experience and a political science degree from the University of Washington, I entered the civilian job market in 2008 with a solid resume. Yet after nine months and 375 resumes sent out, I only received one interview request – from a temp agency, looking to fill a night mall cop position.
I took that job, with drive and resolve. Vets tend not to make excuses and whine about employment prospects. We learned in the military that all jobs deserve attention and respect. But security is not what I wanted to do. And I think it’s fair to say I deserved different opportunities. I wanted opportunities that would utilize my potential as a leader, my schooling, and my experiences in the Army. My generation of vets grew up learning how to save lives, build roads and schools, negotiate with the local community, and work with a team - all while under fire. We’ll certainly be able to handle the worst the civilian world can throw at us, but we need a foot in the door first. That’s why the VOW to Hire Heroes Act is so important. The tax credits for employers should get employers’ attention and open the door. Once in, we can take it from there. We’ll deliver.
The time for America’s economic revival is now. And like our grandparents before us, it’ll be another Greatest Generation leading the way.
Transportation Executive "Can't Wait" for Congress to Pass Tax Cuts in the American Jobs Act
Posted by on November 20, 2011 at 10:12 AM EDTThe 100% expensing provision of the American Jobs Act will enable Ray Land to purchase 20 additional motor coaches for his business, creating work for the company that builds them, and jobs for more drivers in Florida. In addition, Land says “the new tax provisions are great. In particular, we more likely than ever to hire the long-term unemployed.”
Ray Land has always exhibited a passion for getting people where they need to go. As one of the youngest motor coach operators in North America and founder of Fabulous Coach Lines, Land has dedicated himself to providing his customers with a safe and “fabulous” travel experience.
Land’s experience in the motor coach business began early in life when he began planning field trips for his middle school classes and then later planning trips throughout high school for local community organizations. Continually underwhelmed by the operating conditions of the motor coaches he chartered, Land decided he could provide a more enjoyable and reliable travel experience by operating his own motor coach. At the age of 17, and with a little help from his parents, Land did just that, purchasing his first motor coach over the Internet. Fabulous Coach Lines was born.
Since founding the company in 2004, Land has grown Fabulous Coach Lines into a regional leader that now boasts a fleet of 30 motor coaches. “My team and I constantly strive for excellence, and most importantly, make keeping people happy our number 1 goal.” In keeping with this commitment, Land contacts every customer after their trip to get vital feedback on ways to improve his company’s travel experience. It is this type of steadfast commitment to customer satisfaction that has underscored Fabulous Coach Lines’ development and growth. Land has also demonstrated an ability to adapt to changing times. In June 2009, Land launched his “Breezeways” service line, providing a safe, enjoyable, and more economical travel experience to groups unable to afford his Fabulous Coach line. It soon became the preferred travel option for school groups, youth camps, and family reunions, providing Land with a steady revenue stream.
Related:
This crafty Nevada business owner says the American Jobs Act would remove a roadblock to growth
NY CEO says America can't wait to address our economic problems
North Carolina entrepreneur says the American Jobs Act will help expand her businessLearn more about EconomyWisconsin Brewery Owner Says Passing American Jobs Act Is "Way Overdue"
Posted by on November 19, 2011 at 10:23 AM EDTThe White House Business Council invited small business owners and entrepreneurs from across the country to a forum we hosted with Business Forward earlier this month. While they were here, we spoke to some of the people we met about the secrets of their success, and found out how the American Jobs Act will enable them to grow even more quickly in 2012.
The 100% expensing provisions in the American Jobs Act are just the incentive Deb Carey needs to kick off a major upgrade at her Wisconsin brewery. In 2012, New Glarus Brewing Company will invest almost $2 million in a new 15,000 square foot warehouse, new kegs, a gift shop addition, new manufacturing equipment to improve energy efficiencies and production upgrades.
“The tax cuts in the American Jobs Act will make it more cost-effective to expand our employee base by 10 percent and give out annual raises. It will also help us write off over $1 million of new equipment investments, and ultimately, create more jobs and economic activity in our community,” says Carey.
Learn more about EconomyTransportation Executive Says the American Jobs Act Will Enable Him to Hire
Posted by on November 18, 2011 at 10:29 AM EDTThe White House Business Council invited small business owners and entrepreneurs from across the country to a forum we hosted with Business Forward earlier this month. While they were here, we spoke to some of the people we met about the secrets of their success, and found out how the American Jobs Act will enable them to grow even more quickly in 2012.
Aaron Tennant, who owns Tennant Truck Lines, Inc., says passing the American Jobs Act will create jobs in his company. “Cutting the payroll tax in half and creating a payroll tax holiday for 2012 are very powerful and will help my decision to hire. Most employees don’t understand the additional cost we incur to provide jobs. We can use this windfall to invest back into the business, in our case means investing in additional trucks which require drivers and support staff."
Tennant Trucking Lines, Inc. is a third generation industry leader that had a deceptively modest beginning. In 1946, Sydney Tennant started “hauling swine on a milk run” from rural Iowa and Illinois to Chicago, according to his son, Bob Tennant. With the help of his supportive family, Tennant turned his dream of creating a profitable trucking company that provided jobs for hardworking folks in the rural Midwest into a thriving business. Today that business is run by Aaron Tennant, Bob’s son and Sydney’s grandson, who continues to execute his grandfather’s vision of success.
Learn more about EconomyLife Sciences Supply Company Says the American Jobs Act Will Help Drive Growth
Posted by on November 17, 2011 at 5:14 PM EDT
Mickey Blake and Peter Kegel launched Mt Baker Bio in Washington to "green up" the biomedical community. Since 2009, the company has developed 17 eco-friendly plastic alternatives for biomedical laboratories and diverted nearly 50,000 lbs of recyclable plastics out of the landfill.
After 15 years in the biomedical industry, Mickey Blake became frustrated by the sheer amount of laboratory waste produced every day. Two years ago, she and her partner Peter Kegel set out to identify the largest unregulated laboratory waste products. Turns out it was single-use plastics; in fact Blake estimates that more than 500,000 tons of single-use plastics are going into the landfill each year, creating a long-term pollution problem. This discovery led to the launch of Mt. Baker Bio in Everett, Washington.
“Identifying this was a challenge because there were little to no metrics in place. Next to water and energy consumption, plastics are one of the most significant forms of waste, but there was no direct infrastructure in place to help deal with the issue. There is a huge push to conserve water, energy and safe chemicals usage but virtually nothing addressing plastics.” Blake and Kegel designed environmentally friendly alternatives that are recyclable, reusable or can be recognized as a food source by microorganisms in a biologically active landfill.
Learn more about EconomyAmbassador Kirk Updates the President's Export Council on 2011 Trade Updates and Initiatives
Posted by on November 16, 2011 at 7:10 PM EDTEarlier today I had the opportunity to participate in a meeting of the President’s Export Council (PEC) at the White House. Members of the PEC gathered to strategize and discuss ways to reach the President’s goal of doubling our nation’s exports by the end of 2014. In addition, the private sector members of the PEC presented Administration officials with letters of recommendations on topics such as expansion of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA), Middle East/North Africa commercial engagement and workforce readiness. We thanked them for their ideas, and underscored the importance of their input to the Administration’s efforts to boost exports.
During the meeting I emphasized the milestone we reached with the signing of the recent trade agreements with Korea, Colombia,and Panama,as well as the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Additionally, I highlighted the importance of the work with Congress that lies ahead to terminate the application of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment to Russia now that it will be formally invited to join the World Trade Organization next month.
Other senior officials joining me in today’s meeting were Commerce Secretary John Bryson, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Small Business Administrator Karen Mills, Chairman of the Export-Import Bank Fred Hochberg,and Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Miriam Sapiro; along with White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley and Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett. Today’s meeting was live streamed on www.WhiteHouse.gov.
The PEC was established in 1973 by President Richard Nixon. The initial group consisted of 20 members, all of whom were business executives. Six years later, in 1979, President Jimmy Carter reconstituted and expanded the PEC. Council membership grew to the current roster of 48 members and was extended to include leaders of the labor and agriculture communities, members of Congress, and members of the executive branch.
Learn more about , , Economy, Foreign PolicyHelping Veterans Get Back to Work: John Kamin
Posted by on November 11, 2011 at 7:30 PM EDTWatch Army Veteran John Kamin, here.
John Kamin enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2005, and was deployed to Iraq at the onset of the surge in 2007. He received an honorable discharge after 15 months, but returned to Iraq when he was recalled in 2009. Today Kamin is studying at American University, where he is president of the school’s student veteran group.
In that role, he sees a lot of his fellow veterans struggling to adjust to civilian life, a problem he thinks will grow as we return to a peacetime force. “We are going to be seeing a lot of people get out of the military with a vast array of skill sets and a vast amount of knowledge that, at surface value, does not translate into civilian skills. There is no way to tangibly associate one with the other.”
He says veterans face unique difficulties in transitioning to the civilian job market. “It falls on them to pretty much exploit a skill that the military does not teach you, which is looking out for number one, learning how to self-promote and put yourself out there for events and experiences you hold dear and don’t feel the need to advertise.”
Kamin believes the new initiatives around job training and job search support President Obama announced this week can make a big difference, and he also hopes attention to the challenges transitioning veterans face will help bridge the gap in understanding and set up our returning veterans for success.
Read the story of Navy veteran Eric Smith, who has more than five years experience as a military medic, but works today as a hospital janitor.
Helping Veterans Get Back to Work: Maria Canales
Posted by on November 11, 2011 at 3:00 PM EDTWatch Army Veteran Maria Canales, here.
Maria Canales joined the Army in 2002, when she was 22 years old. First stationed in Germany, the Brooklyn, NY native, served in Iraq from October 2005 through October 2006. Although she left the Army in 2007, Canales did not find a job until October 2011.
Looking for work in the private sector was challenging. “I didn’t really know how they were going to perceive my experience. I could not translate my military skills well enough to get a job offer.” But now that she is working in a related field, Canales is using what she learned in the Army every day.
She says the initiatives announced this week by President Obama – the Veterans Job Bank, My Next Move for Veterans and the Veterans Gold Card – are extremely important.
“Not everyone has a support system, not everyone knows exactly what to do when they come home. They are coming back with lots of uncertainty and don’t know exactly who to reach out to. When we have a plan for them before they get out then we are doing the right thing for every veteran who is coming home.”
Despite the fact that our veterans have unique skills and experiences that make them excellent hires for any civilian business, their unemployment rate tops 12 percent. Read the stories of veterans like Maria who have struggled to transition their skills into new careers and find out why fighting for these heroes is a priority for the Obama Administration.
America's Small Business Owners Can't Wait for Congress To Act
Posted by on November 11, 2011 at 1:30 PM EDTWatch small business owners talk about the American Jobs Act here.
On Thursday, Republicans and Democrats in the Senate did the right thing and voted to pass tax credits that will encourage businesses to hire America’s veterans. A group of business owners who recently met with the White House Business Council say they hope that Congress will pass the other provisions in the American Jobs Act and support their efforts to grow their companies and create jobs in their communities.
Learn more about Economy100,000 New Jobs for Veterans and Military Families
Posted by on November 10, 2011 at 3:03 PM EDT
First Lady Michelle Obama delivers remarks to business leaders, veterans and military spouses as part of her Joining Forces initiative, at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s 4th Annual “Business Steps Up: Hiring Our Heroes” event in Washington, D.C., Nov. 10, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
Today, First Lady Michelle Obama was at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to talk about what private companies are doing to help military families.
She announced that a range of businesses now plan to hire 100,000 veterans and military spouses by 2014. She said that the Veterans Jobs Bank -- launched on Monday -- now hosts more than 550,000 job postings from military-friendly employers.
She told the crowd at the Chamber:
This commitment of 100,000 jobs isn’t about making headlines. These wonderful programs don’t just provide a good opportunity for a press conference. All of these efforts are about upholding our sacred duty to our veterans and their families.
Since Joining Forces got off the ground, 16,000 veterans and spouses have already found new positions.
Later today, the Senate is expected to vote on and approve a provision of the American Jobs Act -- which will offer business a $9,600 tax credit for hiring disabled veterans and create additional tax credits for employers who hire veterans who have spent four weeks or more out of work.
"A Victory for the Middle Class" in Ohio
Posted by on November 9, 2011 at 2:35 PM EDTYesterday was Election Day across the country, and last night, once the results were known, Vice President Joe Biden issued a statement congratulating the people of Ohio for rejecting Issue 2 -- a law that would have stripped public employees of their collective bargaining rights.
The Vice President said:
Tonight the people of Ohio delivered a gigantic victory for the middle class with their overwhelming rejection of a Republican attempt to strip away collective bargaining rights. Fundamental fairness has prevailed. By standing with teachers and firefighters and cops, Ohio has sent a loud and clear message that will be heard all across the country: The middle class will no longer be trampled on. The people of Ohio are to be congratulated.
Press Secretary Jay Carney echoed those thoughts:
The President congratulates the people of Ohio for standing up for workers and defeating efforts to strip away collective bargaining rights, and commends the teachers, firefighters, nurses, police officers, and other workers who took a stand to defend those rights.
In his joint address to Congress to introduce the American Jobs Act, President Obama touched on the importance of collective bargaining -- and why doing away with those rights is not the way to get people back to work:
I reject the idea that we have to strip away collective bargaining rights to compete in a global economy. We shouldn’t be in a race to the bottom, where we try to offer the cheapest labor and the worst pollution standards. America should be in a race to the top. And I believe we can win that race.
The Ohio measure lost in a landslide, with 62 percent of voters choosing to reject the law.
Learn more about Civil Rights, EconomyMore Resources for America’s Veteran-Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners
Posted by on November 8, 2011 at 12:29 PM EDTEd. Note: Cross-posted with the Small Business Administration blog.
Like many Americans in my generation, my father was a World War II veteran. My life has been shaped and influenced by his service. Now, as Deputy Administrator at the SBA, I am committed to supporting America’s veteran entrepreneurs and business owners as they grow their business and put America back to work.
Just yesterday, I hosted a forum for young veterans on the campus of San Diego State University as part of SBA’s Young Entrepreneurs Series and National Entrepreneurship Month. I was happy to meet so many young veterans who are using the skills and leadership they learned in the military to start and run a business.
We talked about a number of important issues facing veteran-entrepreneurs who are part of America’s small business community. We discussed important American Jobs Act proposals such as the call that President Obama made yesterday for Congress to provide large tax credits to businesses that hire veterans and service-disabled veterans. This is something that everyone can and should support.
Today, we’re putting forth even more ideas to support veteran business owners as they grow and hire with a report from the Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development, which the President created and I have the honor to chair. The Task Force came up with 18 recommendations across three priority areas:
How To Use the Veteran's Job Bank
Posted by on November 7, 2011 at 7:30 PM EDTWatch an Introduction to the Veteran's Job Bank, here.
The Obama Administration today launched a new tool that is designed to help put our veterans in contact with companies that appreciate their skills, and are eager to hire them. Built in collaboration with some of the country's leading technology companies, this easy to use tool means that veterans are now just a click or two away from career opportunities. Watch this video and find out how you or a veteran you know can get started right now/
Open Innovation for Heroes – Introducing the Veterans Job Bank
Posted by on November 7, 2011 at 3:44 PM EDTToday, the Obama Administration launched the Veterans Job Bank, a new search tool designed to help connect veterans with employers. The Job Bank works by bringing jobs listings directly to veterans—instead of the other way around—via a search widget that provides a single window into the myriad job boards, social media platforms, and corporate employment sites that are currently spread across the Internet.
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