Hilda Solis

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Obama to Tap Justice Official for Labor Chief

Thomas Perez leads Justice's Civil Rights Division

(Newser) - Seeking to fill yet another second-term Cabinet vacancy, President Obama is set today to nominate Thomas Perez, an assistant attorney general, to be the next secretary of labor, the White House says. If confirmed by the Senate, Perez, who has been head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division...

Labor Secretary Hilda Solis Resigns

But Eric Holder is staying on as attorney general

(Newser) - President Obama's second-term reshuffling increased again this afternoon with the resignation of labor secretary Hilda Solis, reports Politico . Obama, who sang her praises in a statement here , already is replacing his treasury secretary , secretary of state , defense chief, and CIA director . So who's staying put for sure? The...

Walmart Slapped With $4.8M Bill for Unpaid Wages

About 4,500 employees weren't paid for overtime

(Newser) - The Labor Department has ordered Walmart to pay $4.8 million in back wages to around 4,500 workers it short-changed between 2004 and 2007. Over that span, Walmart had refused to pay overtime to its vision-center managers and asset-protection coordinators, for some reason believing them exempt from federal regulations...

Labor Honcho Proudly Buys Chevy ... Made in Canada

The best-laid plans...

(Newser) - Hilda Solis had good intentions, but... Obama's labor secretary pulled up to a media breakfast yesterday in a brand new set of wheels, having disposed of the standard-issue black limo officials use to get around DC in favor of a silver Chevy Equinox. "What better example could I...

Massey Hid Factors Behind W.Va. Mine Blast
 Massey Hid 
 Factors Behind 
 W.Va. Mine Blast 
SAYS FED REPORT

Massey Hid Factors Behind W.Va. Mine Blast

Federal report concludes that Upper Big Branch disaster was preventable

(Newser) - The explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine that killed 29 people was caused by safety concerns that owner Massey Energy was well aware of, but hid from federal regulators, according to a new report from the Mine Safety and Health Administration. “This much we already know. The tragedy...

Labor Dept Has a New Site for Jobless
 Labor Dept Has a 
 New Site for Jobless 
HAPPY LABORLESS DAY

Labor Dept Has a New Site for Jobless

Unemployment? Still there.

(Newser) - For those who wish they were working this holiday weekend, the Labor Department has a new website aimed at helping out-of-work Americans land a job. Called My Skills, My Future, the site allows job-seekers to punch in their skills, search for jobs, and obtain training, reports Huffington Post.

Before Ink Dries, 14 States Sue Over Health Law

13 Republican AGs, 1 Dem charge health care reform is unconstitutional

(Newser) - The threatened lawsuits over the health care reform law started arriving at courthouses today shortly after President Obama signed the measure. Thirteen attorneys general headed by Bill McCollum of Florida—who is also a candidate for governor— sued the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services departments and their secretaries....

First Chinese-American Woman Elected to Congress

Dem Chu wins Calif. runoff to replace Solis

(Newser) - Democrat Judy Chu will become the first Chinese-American congresswoman after winning yesterday’s runoff House election in California, Xinhua reports. She fills the Los Angeles county seat vacated when Hilda Solis became secretary of Labor. Chu, 56, handily defeated her Republican opponent, cousin Betty Chu, with 62% of the vote.

Senate Confirms Solis for Labor

(Newser) - The Senate today confirmed California congresswoman Hilda Solis as labor secretary. Solis' confirmation gives the agency a decidedly pro-worker tilt after eight years of business-friendly leadership under the Bush administration. The 80-17 vote comes after more than a month of delays. GOP lawmakers were concerned over her work for a...

Husband's Tax Trouble Snags Labor Nominee

(Newser) - Is another Obama nominee in trouble? A Senate panel today postponed a vote on his nominee to be labor secretary, Hilda Solis, after USA Today laid out her husband’s tax problems. The newspaper reported today that Sam Solis paid $6,400 to settle liens dating back 16 years against...

I'll Fight for 'Hardworking Families': Solis

Union foes challenge Labor nominee, but confirmation expected

(Newser) - Barack Obama’s pick for labor secretary vowed today to “improve the opportunities for hardworking families,” CNN reports. “My vision for the Department of Labor is rooted in who I am,” said Rep. Hilda Solis, the daughter of two union members. The four-term congresswoman from Los...

In DC, Powerful California Is the New Texas
In DC, Powerful California
Is the New Texas
ANALYSIS

In DC, Powerful California Is the New Texas

State best represented in Congress, holds key Cabinet, Senate posts

(Newser) - California is set to take over Texas’ role as the state with most influence on the federal government, Politico reports. With Nancy Pelosi as House Speaker, the largest number of representatives—34—in the Democratic caucus, and one of the strongest presences by state in Barack Obama’s administration, the...

Obama Transition Breaks Speed Records
Obama Transition Breaks Speed Records
ANALYSIS

Obama Transition Breaks Speed Records

But liberal activists, others feel left in dust

(Newser) - Barack Obama has moved so fast to set up his administration that he’s on a pace to blow past all previous presidents, reports the Wall Street Journal. By the eleventh week of their transitions, George HW Bush and Richard Nixon had made 26 and 25 appointments, respectively. As of...

It's Official: Solis, Kirk, LaHood Join Cabinet

(Newser) - Barack Obama announced his final Cabinet choices today, making official what insiders have hinted at for a week, the Washington Post reports. Hilda Solis will be the nominee for labor secretary, Ron Kirk for trade representative, and Republican Ray LaHood for transportation. Solis appears to be the lightning rod, as...

Solis Is Cabinet's Lone Progressive
 Solis Is Cabinet's 
 Lone Progressive 
ANALYSIS

Solis Is Cabinet's Lone Progressive

Obama's Cabinet stocked with moderates—except Solis

(Newser) - Progressives are viewing Barack Obama's ever-so-centrist Cabinet with disappointment, except for the notable pick of union friend Hilda Solis for labor secretary, Politico reports. Solis, a rising star in the House who had been viewed as a potential Speaker, is the daughter of a teamster and a factory worker, and...

Obama Picks Solis for Labor
 Obama Picks Solis for Labor 

Obama Picks Solis for Labor

Calif. Congresswoman has pushed for creation of 'green jobs'

(Newser) - Barack Obama will nominate Hilda Solis, a daughter of Latin American immigrants who’s currently a California Congresswoman, for secretary of labor, the Washington Post reports. Elected in 2000, Solis currently sits on the House Energy and Commerce committee and the Natural Resources committee, among others. She, like Obama, has...

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