Help available in tough times

By Staff
Johnny Mack Morrow
There are signs that our economic problems may be stabilizing. However, the worst aspect of any economic downturn, unemployment, continues to grow. Though it hasn't been as high a rate as in previous months.
Many economists say that unemployment is the last thing to rebound even after an economy has turned the corner.
It will continue to be tough times ahead, and nothing could be more worrisome to a parent and breadwinner than wondering about the stability of a job.
Alabama is a hard working state, and we value labor and jobs as much as anybody. Our work ethic and aggressive action by state government have brought some of the world's largest manufacturers to Alabama and helped grow local industries and companies.
Alabama saw for most of this decade record employment and prosperity. But this economic downturn and the crash of the financial sector have not left anyone unscathed, including Alabama.
In March, the Labor Department showed Alabama's unemployment rate hit nine percent. That rate is the highest in more than two decades, and it is more than triple the unemployment rate than just two years ago. Our troubles have come swift and deep.
Just take a look at the building materials industry in Alabama. The forest industry is the state's largest manufacturing industry, producing an estimated $15.39 billion worth of products in 2005.
However, with the collapse of the housing market and the steep national drop in housing, demand for things like plywood has fallen dramatically.
Plywood mills have shuttered or reduced greatly their output, and folks working in those plants, and those who provided services to the mill workers, have all lost their jobs, through no fault of their own.
Alabama state government can and must help folks in these troubled times, and get them back working again.
The Alabama Department of Industrial Relations is the agency running the unemployment compensation system. Unemployment is a stop gap measure for sure, but they provide a needed lifeline for folks out of work who need to keep food on the table and a roof over their family's head.
The agency has done a good job putting the claims system online and through a telephone system, reducing the need for folks especially in rural areas from traveling great distances to get their paperwork done.
Recently the term of unemployment benefits was lengthened in the stimulus package passed by Congress, in recognition of the worsening situation and the difficulty folks are having finding another job.
There too state government can and should help. The Alabama Career Center System is working to link people with available jobs, and the training they need to get those jobs.
There are more than 40 career centers across the state where people can go and talk with counselors about job availability and training.
The system has also put online many helpful resources, where citizens can conduct a job search, build an on-line resume, register with the job service, and sign up to receive emails on new job openings.
There are more than 5,000 available jobs posted at their website, and more than 100,000 resumes as well.
The Career Centers also hold job fairs and other public events to link people with businesses that need workers.
Unemployment is without a doubt the worst thing in an economic downturn. We must do what we can for those who have lost a job until the recovery comes.
For more information about the Alabama Career Center System go online to:
For more information about unemployment benefits go to:
Johnny Mack Morrow is a state representative for Franklin County. His column appears each Wednesday.