News Cut: June 30, 2011 Archive

Shutdown 101: How to get unemployment

Posted at 11:26 AM on June 30, 2011 by Bob Collins (13 Comments)
Filed under: Politics

The Department of Human Services has sent its employees this memo on how to get unemployment during the shutdown:

If there is a state government disruption of services we know that thousands of state employees will be applying for unemployment benefits. At the same time, there are roughly 114,000 fellow citizens who are currently requesting unemployment benefits every week. In order to make the application process go as smoothly as possible for you and to ensure that those currently receiving benefits experience no disruption of service, we have prepared instructions for state employees who may need to apply for unemployment benefits. Those instructions can be found at the www.BeReadyMN.com site and also on the UI website at http://www.uimn.org/ui/shutdown/index.html .

Here is a brief summary of what you will find at those websites:

** UI works the same for state employees as it does for all other workers in the state. There are no special provisions.

**You should not apply for unemployment benefits until you are actually unemployed and have worked less than 32 hours in a Sunday through Saturday week - this means you should not apply for benefits until the week of July 3rd.

** Your unemployment benefits application will be effective the Sunday of the week you apply.

** There is no advantage to applying early.

** In order to manage the volume of applications, there is a schedule for applying next week based on the last digit of your social security number. The schedule can be found at http://www.uimn.org/ui/shutdown/index.html

** Our online self-service system will be available on July 4th (our staff will not be working on the 4th, however, due to the holiday.)

We encourage you to apply for unemployment benefits online. Our online self-service system is faster and easier and we expect our phone system to be very busy during the week of July 3rd.

No matter what state you live in, apply for unemployment benefits with the State of Minnesota - www.uimn.org.
If you are not working due to the shutdown, you are considered laid off for unemployment insurance purposes.

State employees who are not working due to the shutdown will not be receiving vacation pay or severance pay.

Select "direct deposit" for your payment method if you can. Direct deposit has a quicker initial set up time than the debit card option.

Thank you for your cooperation.

(13 Comments)

Dear Minnesota: 'You're fired'

Posted at 12:14 PM on June 30, 2011 by Bob Collins (11 Comments)
Filed under: Politics

News Cut reader Doreen Clark has penned a letter to the state of Minnesota, informing it that it is fired.

Dear "State,"

After long contemplation and personal struggle with my "Minnesota Nice," I have decided that this is not working for me - so, you are fired.

I have thought long-and-hard about the great things our state has to offer, including our beautiful parks and our state workers that continue the outstanding Minnesota work ethics tradition that we are known for. You have decided the things we take pride in are not vital. I disagree, so yes, you are fired.

I thought about my own job description and, boy are you lucky to have worked as long as you have. Consider yourself fortunate. In this economy, I am sure there are many that would take your pay, settle the budget and actually do what they were hired to do. Yes, you are fired.
What is your job description anyways, state? Did it include shunning those that looked to you for support? If so, then that is one check in your corner. If, on the other hand, it included securing a budget, which by all accounts it probably did, this is why we are having this frank discussion. Also, I have found your people skills lacking. You're fired.

At my job, I have people I am accountable to and I can't just walk away or throw a fit if I disagree. But, I am sure you know this. Do you think that good business rules don't apply to you?

As we finalize this separation agreement, I want you to know that everyone in this state IS vital. And, it hurts to hear you say that some are not. Have you ever heard the saying,"actions speak louder than words?" Your words are loud and clear and unacceptable. You are fired.
I think that it is time that you reflect and time is running out.

Play nice on the playground (if it's not closed), do the job you were hired to do and apologize to the state of Minnesota for having to listen to your childish squabbles at our expense - or yes, you are fired!

Sincerely,

Doreen Clark

(11 Comments)

Making a better tomorrow, tomorrow

Posted at 12:18 PM on June 30, 2011 by Bob Collins (1 Comments)
Filed under: Politics

There was big news in Washington today when the Federal Election Commission approved agenda document 11-38, draft A as amended by 11-38B with technical and forming changes on a 5-to-1 vote.

Did you ever think you'd live long enough to see this day?

It means Stephen Colbert can form a "Super PAC."

Colbert sought a "media exemption" from campaign finance laws, allowing him to use airtime, staff and other resources from his Comedy Central show on campaign activities such as TV ads. He wouldn't have to disclose the spending.

But the FEC said the material couldn't be shown on other Comedy Central programs, because that would constitute an in-kind contribution from the Viacom Corporation, which owns the network.

Colbert floated the idea as a parody of Tim Pawlenty's PAC ad, which invoked dozens of images but said virtually nothing. He adopted the theme, "Making a better tomorrow, tomorrow."

(1 Comments)