Hundreds of teachers at religious schools around the state could soon be at risk of being laid off with no prospect of collecting jobless benefits.

State lawmakers are poised to make it more difficult for some people to collect unemployment benefits.

The state's jobless rate jumped a tenth of a point in January to 8.0 percent.

The sequester is giving job seekers the "one-two punch," first in terms of unemployment benefits and second in job training.

Dirty bathrooms, closed trails and longer lines at Grand Canyon National Park. Furloughs for thousands of civilian defense workers. Reduced health care access.

Health care is a business and economic driver in the East Valley, similar to the aerospace or defense industries. The health care sector makes effective use of private and public funds to create jobs, support ancillary services and support the purchase of local materials. Statewide, the hospital industry is 63 percent larger than the hospitality industry and 37 percent larger than the electronics and aerospace industries combined.

Saying it will help prevent fraud, state lawmakers voted Wednesday to impose new burdens on some people seeking unemployment insurance.

A House panel voted Wednesday to require those seeking unemployment benefits to prove that they were fired and did not just quit.

After a number of scheduled performances — including by the Territorial Brass Band and state historian Marshall Trimble — Mesa’s recently re-elected mayor and city council members were designated to be sworn in Tuesday night at Mesa Arts Centers’ Virginia G. Piper Theater during a celebration hosted by local radio newsman Ned Foster.

One thing I love about living in the East Valley? We’re surrounded by scenic country that makes getting outdoors easy.

More than a third of Arizonans collecting jobless benefits could be getting their final checks this week.

More than a third of Arizonans collecting jobless benefits could be getting their final checks this week.

You might’ve noticed that Valley mayors want to get in the education reform game. After the defeat of the one-cent sales tax, combined with half of the budget overrides going down, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and Mesa’s Scott Smith appeared at a press conference to announce a group of mayors had formed to promote education reform and to find more funding for education.

CHICAGO — No matter how many years you are from calling it quits, it's essential to have some kind of plan in mind for financing retirement.

You might’ve noticed that Valley mayors want to get in the education reform game. After the defeat of the one-cent sales tax, combined with half of the budget overrides going down, Mesa Mayor Scott Smith and Phoenix’s Greg Stanton appeared at a press conference to announce a group of mayors had formed to promote education reform and to find more funding for education.

It's tempting to think that if we just elect the right people next week, the clouds will part, the sun will break through and everything will be fine again. But it's not that simple. Whoever is president the next four years will face daunting problems. We've dug some big holes for ourselves.

Editor's Note: These letters to the editor have been sorted by topic by the Tribune editorial staff in an effort to allow readers to read varied opinions on the issues, candidates, and other circumstances surrounding the 2012 general election. These submissions are the opinions of the author, not the Tribune, and have not been edited for grammar or content.

The state’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate dropped a 10th of a point last month, to 8.2 percent.

The state's seasonally adjusted jobless rate dropped a tenth of a point last month, to 8.2 percent.

What’s the best way to rebound from a layoff?

Demonstrating his knowledge of electrical circuits, Jacob Gerken, a Queen Creek High School senior, deftly connects wires to make a light bulb glow.

WASHINGTON — U.S. employers added 96,000 jobs in August, a tepid figure that points to the economy's persistent weakness and slowing prospects for the unemployed.

Socialism/Communism requires more bureaucrats than any other form of government because it has to control every aspect of life. The more any government does, the bigger it has to be, i.e., bigger buildings, more employees, more intrusions into the private sector. Government growth requires higher taxes to pay for higher governmental spending.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. economic recovery hasn't felt much like one even for people who managed to find new jobs after being laid off. Most of them have had to settle for less pay.