Posted June 20, 2014
CITY ISSUES NONPROFIT A TEMPORARY PERMIT TO HOUSE MIGRANT CHILDREN - Southwest Key yesterday was issued a Temporary Use Permit to provide shelter services to unaccompanied migrant children. Southwest Key is contracted by the federal government to shelter the children - mostly from Central America - who have been coming across the border. Southwest Key has been readying a building north of downtown for several weeks.
ARIZONA PREPARES TO BORROW TO PAY UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS - New projections show that cash flow problems with Arizona's unemployment insurance trust fund will last longer than expected, so the State is preparing to borrow again to keep paying unemployment benefits. The fund collects money from employers’ payroll taxes and pays unemployment benefits to laid-off workers. The trust fund was one of the healthiest in the nation in the mid-2000s, but was completely depleted — and then some — by the length and depth of the recession. Arizona was one of 36 states that borrowed from the federal government last year to pay unemployment benefits. The State also temporarily increased employers’ taxes in 2011 and 2012 and tightened eligibility for benefits. Last year, the State borrowed $200 million from a private lender so it could repay the government loan without paying interest fees or letting businesses take a federal payroll tax hike. That loan was paid off last month. Read more from the Arizona Daily Star.
ARIZONA'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FELL A BIT IN MAY, BUT JOB LOSSES PLENTIFUL - Last month's jobless rate in Arizona was 6.8 percent, down from 6.9 percent in April, and down 1.2 percent from May 2013. Arizona's jobless rate is still above the national average of 6.3 percent. Despite the numbers, the Arizona Office of Employment and Population Statistics reports employers shed 15,000 jobs in May, the worst showing for that month since 2009. Government losses in May were especially heavy, and many private-sector employers pulled back as well. Part of the reason for the seemingly-conflicting statistics is that the jobless rate is based on a separate survey than job growth. Read more from azcentral.com.
17TH ANNUAL DÍA DE SAN JUAN FIESTA SET FOR TUESDAY - The annual tradition of celebrating the beginning of the “season of monsoon rains” continues Tuesday from 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. at Mercado San Agustin, 885 W. Congress St. Local tradition hails St. John the Baptist as the one who brings the rain, kicking off the monsoon in the Old Pueblo. The Fiesta will feature a procession, live music and dance, food, arts and crafts, games, activities for children, and free water and watermelon. The free event is non-alcoholic and boasts a family-friendly atmosphere.
SMOKING IS STILL LEADING CAUSE OF FIRE DEATHS IN THE UNITED STATES - Fire officials say most fires caused by smoking occur when a smoker falls asleep or improperly discards of a used cigarette. Tucson Fire Captain Barrett Baker says if you must smoke, follow safety precautions to protect you, your family and your home.