As Senate Votes On Multi-Trillion Dollar Bill, California’s Unemployment Continues To Rise

Friday, 20 November 2009 15:40

In the News

As U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) prepares to cast her vote in favor of the Democrats’ $2.5 trillion government-takeover of health care tomorrow night, it’s worth keeping in mind three important and related numbers:

12.5 percent: That is the October 2009 unemployment rate in the state of California, according to preliminary numbers released by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics today. Since Boxer voted for the trillion dollar stimulus package more than nine months ago, the unemployment rate in her state has steadily risen, from 10.6 percent in February to 12.3 percent in September and now 12.5 percent in October 2009.

$1.42 trillion: The federal budget deficit for 2009 alone totals $1.42 trillion - a number higher than the total national debt for the first 200 years of the United States. During the month of October 2009, the deficit increased by $176.4 billion, setting another all-time record.

$100 million a day: While Senate Democrats brag that their health care bill "reduces the deficit by $130 billion over the next decade," they leave out the fact that interest payments on their so-called stimulus bill total $347 billion over the next decade - an average of $100 million a day.

"Unfortunately for California families, the federal deficit has soared to record highs and the state’s unemployment has steadily risen ever since Barbara Boxer voted for the so-called ‘stimulus’ package in February 2009," said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokeswoman Amber Wilkerson Marchand.

"Despite the economic difficulties facing her state, Boxer has signaled that she will support another massive spending plan tomorrow when the Democrats’ $2.5 trillion government-run health care bill comes to a vote," Wilkerson Marchand continued. "Obviously Senator Boxer hasn’t learned anything from the Democrats’ failed stimulus debacle, but Californians won’t forget her record when they cast their ballots next November."

Background Information

California’s Unemployment Rate Was 10.6% In February 2009. (U.S. Department Of Labor’s Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 11/20/09)

California’s Unemployment Rate Was 12.3% In September 2009. (U.S. Department Of Labor’s Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 11/20/09)

California’s Unemployment Rate Rose To 12.5% In October 2009. (U.S. Department Of Labor’s Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 11/20/09)