U.S. civic briefing

Hey, welcome to What's My Politics. Let's talk about what's going on and what it could mean in real life. Our focus is everyday life: renters, hourly and salaried workers, commuters, caregivers, and households of different sizes. Not everybody has the same budget or qualifies for the same help. We're asking what changes for your costs, your time, and your vote. Visit whatsmypolitics.us for the sources. Let's get into it. First up: Arizona begins the next round of post-election checks Monday. Arizona’s Secretary of State says the first day counties may canvass the November 3 general-election returns is Monday, November 9. The state’s election page shows Apache County completed its required hand-count test on November 6 with no discrepancies found, while results for other counties were still listed as coming soon. County canvasses can continue through November 19, and the statewide canvass is set for November 23. Who decides? County boards of supervisors conduct county canvasses. The Arizona Secretary of State conducts the statewide canvass for federal, statewide, legislative, and statewide ballot-measure contests; Arizona law requires that general-election canvass to occur in a public meeting with other specified state. Here's how your representatives connect: County supervisors are locally elected. The secretary of state, governor, and attorney general are statewide elected offices. Here's why that matters: This is the regular verification stage between election-night totals and official results. A hand-count test checks a sample of ballots against tabulation equipment; it does not by itself certify every race or ballot measure. And here's what to keep an eye on: Watch county boards of supervisors beginning November 9 and through the November 19 county deadline. Then watch the Arizona Secretary of State’s public statewide canvass on November 23. Next up: October payrolls rose, while pay and work hours moved in different directions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported November 6 that U.S. nonfarm payroll employment rose by 165,000 in October and the unemployment rate was little changed at 4.1%. Employment increased in professional and business services, health care, and transportation and warehousing. Average hourly earnings rose 14 cents to $38.00 for all private nonfarm workers and 12 cents to $32. Who decides? The Bureau of Labor Statistics, within the U.S. Department of Labor’s executive branch, collects and publishes the employment data. The report does not make wage law or set private-sector pay. Here's how your representatives connect: The president appoints the Labor Secretary, subject to Senate confirmation, while BLS statistical staff produce the data. Voters do not elect BLS analysts directly. Here's why that matters: A raise on the hourly rate and a shorter workweek can pull in opposite directions for an hourly worker. The report does not show everyone’s paycheck, and it does not measure inflation-adjusted pay in this release. And here's what to keep an eye on: BLS is scheduled to release October real-earnings data on November 10, which will help show how inflation affected purchasing power. Its November employment report is scheduled for December 4. Next up: Labor Department opens apprenticeship incentive applications in high-demand fields. The U.S. Department of Labor says registered-apprenticeship sponsors can now apply for performance-based incentive payments in manufacturing, information technology, shipbuilding and defense production, semiconductor and nuclear infrastructure, telecommunications, and automotive and truck service. Depending on the fund and program milestones, sponsors may receive payments of up to $6,000 for an eligible apprentice. Applications are rolling until available funds are committed. Who decides? Congress provides funding authority, and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration runs the federal program. Selected organizations administer different industry funds, while registered-apprenticeship sponsors apply for incentives. Here's how your representatives connect: Congressional lawmakers who authorize and fund workforce programs are elected. The Labor Secretary is appointed and confirmed by the Senate; program administrators and sponsors. Here's why that matters: This money goes to program sponsors, not automatically into an apprentice’s pocket. Still, it may give employers, unions, schools, workforce groups, and other sponsors more reason to add or retain paid training slots. And here's what to keep an eye on: Watch the relevant fund administrators and the Labor Department for award totals, participating sponsors, openings, and completion data. Visit whatsmypolitics.us first. Use My Representatives to find federal, state, and local officials, then compare their public records with the issues that matter to you. Now, back to the briefing. That's the rundown. Check the linked sources at whatsmypolitics.us, keep an eye on what happens next, and make your own call. What's My Politics dot U.S. A smarter way to apply technology.