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Finding a job in Connecticut may get somewhat harder in the near future, due the fact that businesses might be required to pay higher unemployment taxes this year. State officials are currently planning on having employers shell out an additional 1.4 percent in jobless dues.

The reason bureaucrats are considering this course of action is because, due to rising unemployment, the fund for job seekers is becoming severely depleted. Since more and more people are collecting these benefits, government has found itself signing more checks than current taxes allow them to be able to afford.

When employers have to pay higher taxes they have less money available to spend on hiring new workers. Since budgets are already tight at the moment, this could cause Connecticut jobs to become more scarce.

According to the State Labor Department’s director of program policy George Wentworth, the government is expecting to sign $690 million dollars in checks to those who are unable to find Connecticut jobs this fiscal year. During the same time, the fund will only take in around $540 million if taxes are not increased. At this time, there is only about $465 million in the trust.

Currently officials have stated that they are not worried about running out of money for the unemployment. Despite this, they have said that they may have to take out several short-term loans if the economy does not improve in the near future.

During November the state’s unemployment rate rose to 6.6 percent, which means that Connecticut currently has the highest proportion of joblessness that it has in the last 15 years. Although there was a rise in unemployment, Connecticut continued to fair better than the national average, which was 6.7 percent for that month.

Approximately 5,100 jobs were lost throughout the month. At this time the state’s unemployment offices are issuing checks to around 80,000 claimants each week. This is a 50 percent increase since 2007. The most each job seeker can currently receive is $519 a week.

The Transportation Security Administration announced the completion of over 1 million fingerprint-based background checks on truck drivers required to carry a Hazardous Material Endorsement ( HME ) on a commercial driver’s license.

Since starting operations almost four years ago, the HME Threat Assessment Program has completed a review of 1,015,660 applications and approved more than 1 million.

“Truckers are another set of eyes on the road and are part of the security network,” said TSA Deputy Administrator Gale Rossides. “They play a vital role in keeping our freeways, streets, counties and cities safe.”

Applicants who initially may not meet the eligibility requirements can take advantage of a robust redress program without losing their HME in the process. TSA rules give states the flexibility to extend HMEs for drivers whose background assessments are still pending, providing applicants the opportunity to continue to work should they request an appeal or waiver. Applicants that are disqualified by TSA may seek a review by the U.S. Coast Guard Advocate Law Judge.

Some examples of shipments classified as hazardous materials include gasoline, explosives, radioactive and infectious substances, propane, chlorine, acids, ammonia and other poisonous gases. Drivers must renew the TSA background assessment at least every five years, although a state may require renewals that are more frequent.