Jobless in Massachusetts
The economic downturn is now affecting most sectors in the state, and new unemployment numbers due out this week are expected to show continued weakness. What does it mean to be jobless in Massachusetts now? We’ll visit communities where the unemployment rate is double that of the state average, and talk with workers with a variety of skill levels about how they’re surviving in the down economy.
Our full hour guest is the state’s Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, Suzanne Bump.
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I was extrememly disappointed to hear David’s interview with Secretary Suzanne Bump. She seemed to offer nothing but excuse after excuse for why people are experiencing problems with her department. It is a perfect example of a typical bearucratic mentality that could care less about the people that they are supposed to serve.
I have commuted by bike in the Cambridge, Somerville, & Boston area for 6 years. Having grown up in The Netherlands, biking is the natural and easiest way of commuting in a city like metro Boston.
In the fall, I was “doored” at Porter Square and the driver had the audacity to say that I was “going too fast” even though I was approaching a red light (and I obey red lights as the bike police in the Netherlands once taught me).
It is my hope that cyclists in the city do a better job in following vehicular traffic rules. I feel that drivers in the city often think that the cyclist is in the wrong. I agree that the best education is to put in protected lanes and build the infrastructure that says “biking is better for the city.” Yes, put bikes first, pedestrians second, transit and cars last. Biking is a BIG reason why I have chosen to stay in the area for 9 years!!
Thanks for this wonderful show!! -Tricia