"The Great Recession"

It seems that our Labor Day holiday yesterday was a chance for many of us to think of jobs, and how desperately we need some.  The California Budget Project released a new report yesterday that calls our current downturn "The Great Recession," finding that it stands apart from other downturns because of the breadth of its reach, especially when it comes to job loss.

If you look at today's headlines, you'd see that the media is reflecting exactly what the CPB has found.  All the stories are equally interesting, and one could say, equally depressing.  But better share in the despair, than suffer alone, right?  So I've included a list of the local economic stories that caught our eye today, mostly job-related.  Read on, but keep the tissue box handy.

LOCAL ECONOMIC HEADLINES:

1.3 million will lose unemployment benefits by the end of this year

California employment down to 2000 levels

Unemployment department still difficult to reach - Phone number takes an average of 17 tries, and 2/3 of calls are rejected

Budget cuts mean shelters can euthanize animals sooner - "The notion that your beloved pet could escape the yard and be put to death before you even have time to post flyers is a real possibility."

State government workers find themselves going to food banks

SF school volunteers program may be cut - Budget cutbacks for next year may be even harsher than this year

Frugality is the new normal, even after recession ends

Backlash against banks growing as modifications are rejected