Labor Day was created to honor the contributions of workers in the U.S.  But this Labor Day will be the third straight that passes with too many people out of work, or underemployed, or not making enough money to meet their needs.  In Kentucky, the unemployment rate dropped to 9.9% in July.  But it wasn't because people are finally finding jobs.  In Kentucky and across the nation, unemployment rates are dropping because people are getting discouraged and dropping out of the workforce.

It's time to pass legislation that turns this around.  Economists are quick to point out that without the stimulus plan, many more jobs would have been lost.  But there's still so much more we can do to bring jobs to Kentucky, and to make sure that families are able to meet their basic needs.

For a stark look at the numbers affecting workers, take a look at this Labor Day report by the Economic Policy Institute.  And here's a related piece that uses more words than numbers, but paints the same picture.

The jobs crisis is looming, but it's not something we can't solve. We can pass policies that stimulate the economy by creating jobs, by protecting families from financial upheaval, and by making our state and federal tax policies more progressive.  

In Kentucky, this means supporting the tax package that KFTC endorses, the Kentucky Forward plan.  But federal tax changes are likely coming soon, and now is the time to weigh in on what's needed, and what's not.  Among the options are extending the Bush tax cuts, the bulk of which benefit the wealthiest 2% of Americans.  These cuts to the wealthiest 2% are too costly, and policies that widen our wealth gap are not the way to make sure that every U.S. worker can become educated, employed, and able to meet their needs.  According to Citizens for Tax Justice, the Republican proposal to extend the Bush tax cuts would send 30% of the tax cuts coming to our commonwealth to the richest 1% of Kentucky taxpayers.

We've done it before.  We can do it again.  Here are some ideas:

Take Action

1) Join a national day of action on September 15th to support the Local Jobs for America Act.

Jobs with Justice is urging a national day of action on September 15th to support the Local Jobs for America Act (HB 4812).  Kentucky Jobs with Justice is sponsoring a rally at the unemployment office in Louisville, on 600 Cedar Street.   Join in, or organize your own local action at your unemployment office. You can learn more about the Local Jobs for America Act and download a toolkit that includes an easy-to-read fact sheet on this resource page from Jobs with Justice.  We can try to help organize carpools or local events, so call Jessica at 859.276.0563 if you're interested!

And support tax policies that ensure opportunities for all.  

We'll soon be learning more about federal tax proposals that are needed, but in the meantime, support ending those costly tax cuts for the wealthiest 2%. By contacting your congresspeople and writing letters to the editor of your local papers.  Early next week, look for resources and talking points to help you out!  In the meantime, check out Kentucky's Rep. John Yarmuth on MSNBC's Meet the Press, explaining why he supports ending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest 2%.

And come to Washington D.C. on October 2nd to the One Nation March for Jobs!

 Find more information on One Nation's website.  We'll be helping people organize carpools, so give Jessica a call if you're interested at 859.276.0563.