Unemployment Benefits

New claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, the Labor Department said in an encouraging sign for the struggling job market. Initial jobless claims — an indicator of layoff trends — had risen for three straight weeks last month, reaching a high of 389,000 in the week that ended May 26. And sure enough, the jobs report for the month of May turned out to be every bit as gloomy, with the economy having created just 69,000 jobs and the...

As part of new federal requirements, about 500,000 Californians receiving long-term unemployment benefits will soon have to appear in person at local job centers to show they are actively looking for work. The requirements are the result of the unemployment benefit extension President Obama signed in February. To continue receiving federal extension benefits, those who are unemployed must now document their work search efforts, which must include contacts with at least three employers per week.

It's a mark of a civilized society that we look after the unfortunate during hard times. On that score, the United States is about to (once again) come up short. Hundreds of thousands of long-term jobless Americans are now receiving their final unemployment checks sooner than they expected. Congress renewed an extension of unemployment benefits in February, but it also phased in a reduction in the number of weeks of extended aid and made it tougher for states to qualify for cash.

The number of Americans filing for jobless claims barely moved last week, leaving more unemployed workers applying for benefits than analysts had expected. With 338,000 workers filing first-time claims during the week ended Saturday, according to the Labor Department , hopes for heady improvement in the labor market continue to shrink. Though that's 1,000 fewer applications than during the earlier week, initial unemployment benefits are still hovering around a three-month high last reached in January.

News reports Thursday morning highlighted two seemingly disappointing economic indicators: claims for new unemployment benefits were higher than expected , and sales of existing homes dropped slightly from the month before. But the data weren't as bad as the headlines suggested. They just weren't very good. And as a consequence, they don't fit into the dueling story lines that President Obama and his likely Republican opponent, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, have been advancing in their campaigns.

With a final deal approved by negotiators, Congress moved toward a Friday vote to extend a payroll tax break and other expiring measures that are among President Obama's top priorities. The expected votes in the House and Senate would cap a tumultuous week that produced a deal with prominent detractors on both sides of the political aisle. But as the Feb. 29 deadline neared for the expiration of the tax break, the compromise reflected the desire by Republicans to move on to other battles.

Despite discomfort in the Republican ranks, House and Senate negotiators reached a deal in principle early Thursday to extend a payroll tax break, continue unemployment benefits and ensure that Medicare doctors do not get a pay cut this year. As talks continued past midnight Wednesday — the ostensible deadline — at one point a source with knowledge of the private session confirmed a deal had been reached. But about an hour later, the source cautioned that some details remained to be worked out. The chief negotiators, Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana and Republican Rep. Dave Camp of Michigan, holed up in the Capitol.

Despite discomfort in the GOP ranks, House and Senate negotiators were close to striking a deal that would extend a payroll tax break, continue unemployment benefits and ensure Medicare doctors do not see a pay cut this year. Talks continued into the evening Wednesday as Republican and Democratic congressional leaders worked to present a package that could be voted on by week's end - before lawmakers adjourn for a weeklong recess. Without action, taxes would go up on March 1, unemployment benefits would end and doctors' pay would be slashed by 27.4% -- politically toxic outcomes all sides hope to avoid.