Dec 19, 2002 2 min read

In recent months, news of jobless rates caused increasing depression. The statistics for Fayette and Greene counties show the number of unemployed workers continues to rise. In the latest report available, Fayette County’s unemployment rate rose from 5.8 percent in September to 6.3 percent in October. Greene saw a similar rise from 4.7 percent to 5.2 percent. As more workers are added to the list, others are in jeopardy of losing their benefits and still are unable to find work. The Children’s Defense Fund this week said that nationwide, long-term unemployment is increasing most rapidly in families with young children. Some 502,000 parents with children under age 18 have been unemployed for more than 26 weeks and are faced with a loss of benefits as the holidays near.

Congress in March created a 13-week extension in federal jobless benefits for workers who had used up the maximum state-funded coverage. But that aid is set to run out Dec. 28. While President Bush said he would ask Congress for another extension, and to make the benefits retroactive for 750,000 workers, this does little to ease the stress of not knowing if and when this will occur.

This is just one more piece of business that was neglected by Congress before it adjourned. Congressional members went home for the holidays with guaranteed raises flowing into their households oblivious to their constituents’ worries.