By JIM BARON

With the state unemployment rate a 13 percent and expected to rise even higher when the latest figures are released next week, jobless Rhode Islanders will be in line for 20 weeks of unemployment benefits under legislation that won final passage in the U.S. House of Representatives Thursday and is headed to President Barack Obama to be signed into law.

Ocean State Congressmen Patrick Kennedy and Jim Langevin both voted in favor of the Worker, Home Ownership and Business Association Act of 2009, which will help an estimated 4,000 Rhode Islanders who have exhausted, or soon will exhaust their unemployment compensation.
The bill, co-sponsored by RI Sen. Jack Reed extends unemployment benefits in all 50 states by 14 months, but adds an additional six weeks for states such as Rhode Island that are hit particularly hard by the loss of jobs.
An estimated 200 Rhode Islanders exhaust their benefits each week.
The bill also contains tax breaks for small businesses and extends an existing $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers, which was set to expire at the end of the month, until April 30, 2010. It makes homeowners who have lived in their current residence for at least five years and are looking to purchase a new home eligible for a $6,500 tax credit.
“This is a smart investment that is paid for and will provide a major boost to our economy,” Reed said in a written statement. “With winter and the holidays approaching, this legislation cannot come soon enough for thousands of Rhode Islanders who are feeling the effects, not of the last 8 months but of the last 8 years, of the Bush economy. This legislation will help people to literally put food on the table. It will give them a sense of support and substance as they go forward.”
Striking a decidedly partisan tone, Reed added, “After weeks of Republican delay, I am pleased we were finally able to pass this extension of unemployment benefits and tax cuts, which will provide a boost to our economy and real economic relief to millions of Americans still struggling under the weight of the Bush recession. Today’s overwhelming victory demonstrates we never lacked the 60 votes to move to cloture; what we lacked was unanimous consent from our Republican colleagues so the bill could move forward. In delaying this bill, Senate Republicans denied unemployment benefits to thousands of middle-class families and millions of dollars in economic aid to their own states. Those who think impeding economic recovery and derailing health care reform serves the interests of the American people are sorely mistaken. The American people want progress and results. Today we gave them both.”
Other members of the state’s all-Democratic congressional delegation also used the bill’s passage to take partisan shots at the Republican lawmakers in the Senate who stalled the bill for several months until it finally passed in that chamber Wednesday.
“With an estimated 74,000 Rhode Islanders out of work, this bill will provide a badly needed lifeline to better days ahead,” Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said. “It’s unfortunate that our Republican colleagues spent four weeks filibustering and delaying the passage of this critical assistance, but thankfully, we were finally able to overcome their obstructionism and deliver some much-needed help to struggling families.
“I am especially pleased,” Whitehouse added, “that in addition to the 14 weeks of benefits this legislation would provide to unemployed workers in all states, workers in states with the worst job markets would receive 6 further weeks of benefits, additional relief desperately needed by Rhode Islanders. Our economy will recover, but until then, I will keep fighting to make sure people in Rhode Island and across the country have the resources necessary to get them through these tough times.”
“After weeks of being stalled by an obstructionist minority, this package will extend unemployment benefits when Rhode Islanders need them the most,” Rep. Patrick Kennedy chipped in. “I commend the Senate leadership for finally delivering these benefits that will help families in need and immediately stimulate our economy”
“I voted today to help provide stability to Rhode Island families hit hardest by this recession,” said Langevin. “But while unemployment benefits and stimulus programs help jumpstart our economy in the short term, Congress must also work to build a new foundation for a lasting recovery. That is why we are making much needed reforms to our health care and financial systems and investing in our education and workforce training.”