Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Benny Martinez - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

White House officials said Friday that the minor dip in unemployment, although not good enough, does show that the U.S. is moving in the right direction.

In a conference call with reporters, the President’s Council of Economic Advisers Chair Christina Romer and Small Business Administrator Karen Mills said that the president’s top priority is getting small business initiative legislation at his desk as soon as possible.

According to Mills, one of the key factors in the jobs bill is the small business wages tax cut. Mills stated she believes that the cut will serve as an incentive that will drive employers over the hump and begin hiring.

“One of the important things to realize about [the tax cut] is it is aimed at firms that are expanding employment,” Romer said. “We are trying to increase employment as quickly as possible.”

Both Mills and Romer stressed that, in order to see major changes materialize, it will require Congress to collaborate in tackling additional programs.