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Tell Congress:
"We are in an economic and public health crisis. If Congress does nothing, the U.S. could end 2021 with 5.3 million fewer jobs, with losses in every state. The House passed the HEROES Act nearly two months ago which provides crucial aid to states, cities and towns to prevent cuts to essential services like education and healthcare. Now, it’s up to the Senate to pass legislation that addresses those same priorities."
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Friend,
States are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more than two decades, EPI has been home to EARN—a national network of 55 organizations in 43 states and the District of Columbia working to bring about positive economic change at the state and local level. And EARN’s work is all the more urgent today as states, cities and towns are struggling to provide critical services—including education and healthcare—while keeping millions of people employed.
Since the pandemic began, tens of millions of workers have lost their jobs. We are facing near-depression level job losses, and we need substantial federal aid to help states and communities navigate the unprecedented economic challenges of the pandemic. (And we also need Congress to extend the $600 increase in weekly unemployment benefits well past the July 31 expiration date.)
What we don't need is the federal government to abandon our students and teachers, healthcare workers and frontline workers throughout our country. But that is precisely what will happen if the Senate fails to act this month. In mid-May, the House passed the HEROES Act which would provide substantial relief to communities in need. But, instead of taking action, the Senate decided to go on a two-week Fourth of July recess.
Add your name! Tell the Senate to deliver much-needed aid to our states and cities to ensure students, teachers and front line workers have the resources they need during the pandemic.
EPI's research has found that without federal aid to state and local governments, 5.3 million workers will likely lose their jobs by the end of 2021. That's on top of the tens of millions of workers who have already lost their jobs as a direct result of the pandemic.
Our research makes clear that Congress must pass a robust aid package. If federal aid levels are insufficient—less than $1 trillion—we will witness a significant job gap by the end of 2021. For example, if Congress passes $500 billion of aid, the jobs losses will likely be roughly 2.6 million. If they only pass $300 billion in aid, the number of jobs lost will likely be roughly 3.7 million.
Tell the Senate, don't let budget shortfalls at the state- and local-levels cause millions of additional job losses.
Since its founding in 1998, the Economic Analysis and Research Network (EARN) has been involved in critical economic victories in states and cities across the country, including:
- More than 30 minimum wage victories in the last five years alone;
- Securing paid sick day legislation in more than a dozen states;
- Passing paid family and medical leave in more than seven states
EARN has helped lead the battle for equal pay and retirement security, fought for tighter state legislation on payday lenders, and boosted investment in infrastructure, hospitals and schools.
EARN groups have been deeply involved in efforts to make the criminal justice system more just by reducing barriers to employment for formerly incarcerated people, changing juvenile justice systems and helping to eliminate or reform cash bail and excessive fees and fines.
Victories at the local and state level not only improve the lives of working people, they lay the groundwork for future victories in Congress to pass progressive economic change.
These are challenging times. But together, we will compel the Senate to act and will keep our essential workers and our teachers on the job as we recover.
Naomi Walker
Director of EARN, EPI Policy Center
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