As Unemployment Rate Climbs, Camden, NJ Votes To Slash City Workforce

The unemployment rate hit a seven-month high in November, reaching 9.8 percent. The disappointing economic news comes as long-term unemployment benefits ran out Tuesday night for 2 million Americans. The White House is negotiating with Republicans to extend the benefits, in exchange for renewing Bush-era tax breaks for all Americans.

The unemployment news is being felt sharply in Camden, N.J., where lay-off notices are going out to 383 city workers today. The city council last night voted to slash the police force by half, and the fire department by one-third, as it struggles to meet a $26 million shortfall. Lucas Murray covers Camden for the Courier Post and tells us that residents are angry and scared in the city that's ranked the second most dangerous in the country (pdf).