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New federal coronavirus aid bill extends the time states have to spend coronavirus relief fund money

Congress has passed new COVID-19 aid, as part of the FY 2021 appropriation bill. The COVID-19 aid portion appropriates $900 billion. The hold-up in getting a new relief package has been disagreements over whether to include liability protections for businesses and funding for state and local governments. In the end, neither policy was included. However, […]

In Washington 19,547 filed initial claims for regular unemployment insurance last week

This morning the state Employment Security Department (ESD) gave its weekly report on unemployment insurance claims. ESD reported a total of 36,382 initial claims for unemployment insurance during the week ending December 12. Of this total, 19,547 initial claims were under the regular state unemployment insurance program; 4,061 claims were under the federal pandemic unemployment […]

Nationwide, 885,000 filed for unemployment insurance last week

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued its weekly report on initial claims for unemployment insurance this morning. Nationwide, the number of seasonally adjusted claims was 885,000 last week. This is up from the (upwardly revised) number of claims for the previous week, 862,000. The 4-week moving average of seasonally adjusted claims was 812,500, up […]

Gov. Inslee’s climate package would cap greenhouse gas emissions, implement a clean fuel standard, and partially fund the working families tax credit

Yesterday, Gov. Inslee announced a package of climate proposals, as part of his 2021-23 budget proposals. (On Monday he announced $365 million for an equity policy package.) His climate proposal includes: A cap on greenhouse gas emissions, with revenues from selling emission allowances going to a new climate investment account. “Funds from the account would […]

The governor plans to allocate another $50 million for business grants, plus $55 million for unemployment benefits (if Congress fails to act)

On Tuesday, Gov. Inslee announced that an additional $50 million will be allocated for Working Washington grants for businesses. This is on top of the $50 million for these grants that was announced in November. The governor didn’t specify where this funding is coming from, but it sounds like it will come out of the […]

In Washington 24,587 filed initial claims for regular unemployment insurance last week

This morning the state Employment Security Department (ESD) gave its weekly report on unemployment insurance claims. ESD reported a total of 39,389 initial claims for unemployment insurance during the week ending December 5. Of this total, 24,587 initial claims were under the regular state unemployment insurance program; 3,759 claims were under the federal pandemic unemployment […]

Nationwide, 853,000 filed for unemployment insurance last week

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued its weekly report on initial claims for unemployment insurance this morning. Nationwide, the number of seasonally adjusted claims was 853,000 last week. This is a large increase from the (upwardly revised) number of claims for the previous week, 716,000. The 4-week moving average of seasonally adjusted claims was […]

Washington ranks third in the percentage of establishments that experienced a government-mandated closure

Yesterday the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released the results of a survey that asked businesses how they have changed their operations due to the pandemic. The results are available by industry, establishment size, and state. I’ve pulled some interesting points in the table below. Notably, Washington ranks third among the states in the percentage […]

In Washington 22,334 filed initial claims for regular unemployment insurance last week

This morning the state Employment Security Department (ESD) gave its weekly report on unemployment insurance claims. ESD reported a total of 32,718 initial claims for unemployment insurance during the week ending November 28. Of this total, 22,334 initial claims were under the regular state unemployment insurance program; 3,302 claims were under the federal pandemic unemployment […]

More details on how federal funding will be used for economic support, as applications are open for a new round of small business grants

Last week I wrote about the additional allocations of the state’s share of the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) that Gov. Inslee made for economic support. The Office of Financial Management has now posted the official allocations of these funds (here and here), totaling $135 million: $15 million for low income home energy assistance, $20 […]