unemployment insurance

As April 17 approaches, politicians and pundits of all stripes are taking potshots at the usual tax-debate villains. But there's never much talk about exactly how are our tax dollars are really spent.

The U.S. set the forces of globalization in motion, and now more than ever, it's clear we're suffering the consequences: high unemployment, stagnant or declining incomes, and rising costs for goods. Can the policies of the surging Tea Party provide solutions, or will they just make matters worse?

The majority of jobs in the U.S. are created by small business, which are still reluctant to hire new workers. And while some of their reasons for holding back may mirror those of big businesses, local conditions like state taxes may loom larger in their decisions.

The $858 billion compromise tax bill passed the House Thursday at midnight, and is on its way to President Obama's desk. With its passage, and the GDP growth it will propel, his reelection is more in the bag than ever. What effect it will have on jobs for the rest of America, though, is far less clear.

The president bristled at criticism of his compromise with the GOP: "This isn't an abstract debate," the president said. "This is real money for real people that will make a real difference in the lives of the folks who sent us here."

House Republicans thwarted an expedited effort by Democrats to extend jobless benefits into next year. It cleared by 258-154 but failed to meet the two-thirds majority needed for "fast-track" passage. Two million Americans could soon lose their aid.

After a string of disappointing reports, employment made some modest progress in the week ending July 3. Initial jobless claims fell by 21,000 to 454,000, the U.S. Labor Department announced Thursday.

Now that Congress has delivered to the president the economic-stimulus bill for his expected signature, how much aid will your state get in the final compromise package? The Center for American Progress, a progressive think tank updated an online map on February 13 to show state-by-state funding...