unemployment

On Monday legislature returns to work after a lengthy absence due to the coronavirus crisis. The Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee met on Monday. The committee gave a favorable report to a Labor Department bill, HB351. The committee amended the bill so that during a state of emergency Alabamians who became unemployed can draw … Continued

Alabama House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, Tuesday released a statement in support of the revised public health order that Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced during a State Capitol news conference. “The members of the House Republican Caucus commend Gov. Ivey for making a difficult decision and allowing many of Alabama’s small businesses to resume … Continued

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, on a conference call Monday, told legislators that she will announce her plan to reopen the economy. Ivey was joined by her chief of staff, former Congressman Joe Bonner; State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris; State Finance Officer Kelly Butler; Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington; and Legislative Liaison William Filmore. Ivey told … Continued

Friday, President Donald J. Trump (R) signed a nearly half-trillion-dollar coronavirus relief bill that replenishes the money for the Payroll Protection Program, a Small Business Administration program that makes small-business loans to prevent layoffs during the forced economic shutdown to fight the spread of the coronavirus. The $484 billion bill is the fourth large coronavirus … Continued

Friday, State Representative Will Dismukes, R-Prattville, joined the growing chorus of political and business leaders calling on Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) to lift the shelter in place order as well as the orders forcing so-callend “non-essential” businesses to close their doors. “How long must we wait to open Alabama up?” Rep. Dismukes said on … Continued

U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama, in a letter to Senate leadership Wednesday, pressed for a program to shore up laid off or furloughed workers’ wages and benefits for up to six months as businesses big and small struggle amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Jones and Sens. Mark Warner of Virginia, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Richard Blumenthal … Continued

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey held her weekly briefing Monday with state legislators to update them on the state’s COVID-19 response and plans for reopening the economy. Ivey told state legislators that reopening the economy will be data-driven rather than date-driven. Reopening the economy will be a balance of health and economics, she said. Thirty to … Continued

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, issued a “Legislative Plan for Small Business Survival,” that included ten prescriptive recommendations they claim would help ensure more small businesses survive the coronavirus crisis and more quickly return to normal business operations once restrictions are lessened. “Small businesses, which account … Continued

Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell, D-Montgomery, announced tools Thursday to help Alabamians who do not normally file income tax returns the ability to still receive their coronavirus crisis direct payment. “The IRS has released important new information for Alabamians to access their coronavirus direct payments,” Sewell said in a statement. “Over 80 million Americans have received … Continued