From the Economic Policy Institute (http://www.epi.org/):
States are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more than two decades, EPI has been home to EARN—a national network of 55 organizations in 43 states and the District of Columbia working to bring about positive economic change at the state and local level. And EARN’s work is all the more urgent today as states, cities and towns are struggling to provide critical services—including education and healthcare—while keeping millions of people employed.
Since the pandemic began, tens of millions of workers have lost their jobs. We are facing near-depression level job losses, and we need substantial federal aid to help states and communities navigate the unprecedented economic challenges of the pandemic. (And we also need Congress to extend the $600 increase in weekly unemployment benefits well past the July 31 expiration date.)
What we don’t need is the federal government to abandon our students and teachers, healthcare workers and frontline workers throughout our country. But that is precisely what will happen if the Senate fails to act this month. In mid-May, the House passed the HEROES Act which would provide substantial relief to communities in need. But, instead of taking action, the Senate decided to go on a two-week Fourth of July recess.
Add your name at https://epipolicycenter.org/tell-the-senate-the-time-is-now-to-pass-meaningful-legislation-to-ensure-we-dont-lose-millions-more-jobs-amidst-a-pandemic/! Tell the Senate to deliver much-needed aid to our states and cities to ensure students, teachers and front line workers have the resources they need during the pandemic.
EPI’s research has found that without federal aid to state and local governments, 5.3 million workers will likely lose their jobs by the end of 2021. That’s on top of the tens of millions of workers who have already lost their jobs as a direct result of the pandemic.
Our research makes clear that Congress must pass a robust aid package. If federal aid levels are insufficient—less than $1 trillion—we will witness a significant job gap by the end of 2021. For example, if Congress passes $500 billion of aid, the jobs losses will likely be roughly 2.6 million. If they only pass $300 billion in aid, the number of jobs lost will likely be roughly 3.7 million.
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