March 5: HIRE Act Takes Aim at High Jobless Rates

The measure passed the House of Representatives on Thursday, March 4.

“We have 40,000 workers unemployed in the Ninth Congressional District, and we need aggressive action on jobs,” said Congresswoman Kaptur. Besides creating the tax holiday, the HIRE Act includes a $1,000 income tax credit for businesses that retain the unemployed workers whom they hire.

Other provisions of the HIRE Act make it easier for states to undertake infrastructure projects such as school construction and energy retrofitting. An extension of the Highway Trust Fund will spur billions of dollars in infrastructure development, including an estimated $300 million in the state of Ohio.

“Congress needs to act decisively on jobs,” said Congresswoman Kaptur, who co-founded the Congressional Jobs Now! Caucus.

“Our region has been hard hit by the recession, with jobless rates exceeding 12 percent in Lucas and Erie counties. Ottawa County has the second highest unemployment rate in the state.”