US labor secretary "hopeful" on unemployment

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/03/30/ap6229364.html

Associated Press
US labor secretary "hopeful" on unemployment
By ARIEL DAVID , 03.30.09, 10:44 AM EDT

U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said Monday she is hopeful the government stimulus package will succeed in easing the rising U.S. unemployment rate, even as the head of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development warned countries must spend more to stem the tide of job losses.

Speaking in Rome on the sidelines of a summit of Group of Eight labor ministers, Solis declined to make predictions, noting new figures are expected later in the week, but insisted that unemployment benefits, training, and job creation programs would help.

"We are very hopeful. The moneys have gone out immediately, and more money will be going out especially for youths," she told reporters. "I hope that we will see potential improvement, but of course we are codependent on many of our partners here in Europe and other parts of the world."

Solis said it was "premature" to consider asking Congress for more money for unemployment benefits, adding that some of the administration's stimulus programs were still being rolled out and several states must still make changes to their legislation to implement them.

FULL story at link.

[Deja Q]

1. We're all hopeful.