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Economy Project: Health Insurance Discount For Unemployed If you lose a job with health insurance, the government requires employers to offer you the chance to keep those benefits for 18 months. It's called COBRA. But COBRA premiums can be expensive so the Obama Economic Recovery Plan created a more affordable COBRA benefit for laid off employees. In our Monday KERA economy segment, Alexis Yancey reports on how it may help struggling families.
Economy Project: Community Colleges Texas college and university enrollment grew by nearly 114-thousand students this fall. That's an all time high. Community colleges accounted for much of that for several reasons: tuition costs less, and you can earn degrees faster. But there's also the economy. In this KERA's economy segment, Sam Baker talks with Dr. Wright Lassiter, Jr., chancellor of the Dallas County Community College District, about who's showing up for class and why.
Unemployment Tax Rate Going Up State commissioners today took a first step in raising the tax rate businesses will have to pay to keep the unemployment insurance fund afloat. KERA's Shelley Kofler has details.
Economy Project: Avoiding Foreclosure A half-million people have benefited from the Obama Administration's program to help struggling homeowners since it began last march. But to qualify you have to have income. So what do you do if you're unemployed? In KERA's Monday economy segment, Alexis Yancey reports on an option for those with little or no income. It's called forbearance.
Economy Project: Gaps In Your Resume During a recent KERA prorgam on jobs, the number one question from listeners was "How do I explain periods of unemployment on my resume?" In today's KERA economy segment, some answers from Debby Kratky of Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County.
What a 30-Second Commercial Can Do For You In one of our recent Economy segments, we offered tips on the 30-second elevator commercial. We offered counseling if you who wanted to send us your own. A listener stepped up, and here's what happened. KERA's Bill Zeeble reports
U.S., Mexico, Canada Meet Over Trade Short on specifics but full of optimism, trade representatives for the United States, Canada and Mexico say they're working to fix some touchy trade issues. Key among them, Canada's desire to bid on some stimulus programs designed to aid unemployed here in the U.S.
Economy Project: Help With Utility Bills Those answering calls for the 2-1-1 help referral network say the number one problem they hear about is inability to pay utility bills. In our weekly Monday economy segment KERA's Bill Brown reports on what you should do if you face that problem. He says there's help available for many.
Economy Project: Picking The Right Credit Card In yesterday's KERA economy segment, we looked at what new changes in credit card regulations will mean for consumers when they take effect in February. Today, we go a step further with help for choosing a credit card. Todd Mark of Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Dallas says avoid the mail offers and shop around, but know your credit score determines what you'll get.
Economy Project: New Credit Card Rules Before the economic downturn, the credit card industry took major criticism for egregious or deceptive practices. To correct that, President Obama in May signed the Credit CARD Act into law. In our Monday economy segment, Sam Baker spoke with Todd Mark of Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Dallas about some of the changes ahead for consumers.
Economy Project: The 30-Second Elevator Pitch Texans looking for work in this economy need to be ready for an opportunity, even when it presents itself in an unusual situation. Enter the 30-second elevator pitch. In our ongoing Monday economy segment Bill Zeeble explains what it is and why it's an indispensible part of a jobseekers arsenal.
T-I Hiring 250 For New Plant Texas Instruments today announced it is hiring 250 workers to begin a new chip manufacturing operation in Richardson. KERA's Shelley Kofler has more on T-I's optimistic move in this dismal economy.
Economy Project: Buying Vs. Renting In our weekly economy segment, KERA's Sam Baker and CPA Ken Sibley discuss the pros and cons of renting versus taking on a mortgage.
Economy Project: Veterans Salute New GI Bill If you're in the U.S. military, or a recent veteran, Uncle Sam is offering you a new chance to go to college. In today's weekly economy feature we look at the benefits available under the new G.I. Bill. KERA's Bill Brown reports thousands of North Texans are rushing to sign up.
TX Jobless Rate Highest In 22 Years The Texas unemployment rate in August rose to 8 percent. That's the highest it's been in 22 years. KERA's Shelley Kofler has more on the jobs picture
Dallas County Approves Smaller Budget Dallas County Commissioners have approved a 485 million dollar budget for next year, with no tax increase. It's smaller than this year's budget, because of the recession and lower property values. KERA's Bill Zeeble reports.
Economy Project: Jewish Family Service Michael Fleisher, Executive Director of Jewish Family Service, talks about additional services the agency offers to job seekers and the agency's mission and history.
Economy Project: Resume Writing The recession has forced many to re-enter the job market who haven't done so in years. In our Monday Economy feature, help in writing your resume. Allison Harding is a job development specialist with Jewish Family Service. The non-profit agency includes career and employment guidance among a wide array services. KERA's Sam asked Harding how the rules for resumes have changed.
Economy Project: Home Financing Options Some homebuyers struggling to pay their mortgages might not be in trouble if they'd financed their home differently. In today's weekly economic segment KERA's Stella Payne looks at options to discuss with your lender.
Economy Project: School Meals Still A Good Deal Family pocketbooks may seem a little emptier today as North Texas parents send their children back to school. Many have had to scramble for classroom supplies, clothes, school shots and more. But in today's economy segment, Bill Zeeble says nutritious school meals still offer a big bang for the buck. Bill explains why they're something every family can afford.