Support Unemployment Insurance Modernization and Reform Act
Level of Government: State
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As a politically active member of the New York State United Teachers, I am writing to request your support for legislation to modernize and reform New York state's woefully inadequate and under-funded unemployment insurance program.
New York state's unemployment rate now stands at 7.8% and it is likely to continue to rise. However, the state of New York is borrowing money from the federal government to pay claims, the amounts paid to displaced workers are inadequate for them to maintain a sufficient standard of living and too many workers in educational settings are ineligible to access unemployment benefits at all.
Currently, the maximum benefit payable under New York state's unemployment insurance program is a woeful $405 per week. This amount has not been increased since 2000 and it ranks 25th nationally. Moreover, when taking into account the loss of purchasing power from inflation, the $405 maximum benefit enacted in 2000 has declined to just $327 per week (over 20%).
NYSUT Strongly Supports Legislation to Modernize and Reform
New York state's Unemployment Insurance Program (A.8013 by Asm. John)
(1) Provide meaningful income support for families and their communities by increasing the maximum weekly unemployment benefit from $405 to $550 in 2009, to $630 in 2010 and in 2011 and thereafter up to 50% of the average weekly wage.
(2) Expand benefit eligibility to part-time faculty who are denied access to benefits due to the issuance of "reasonable assurances" by their employers and to other workers who are unfairly denied access to benefits.
(3) Expand benefit eligibility to workers seeking retraining by increases state support from $20M to $50M to supplement the benefits of workers seeking retraining under Section 599 of the Labor law.
(4) Increase sustainability of unemployment insurance fund and reduce borrowing costs by increasing the unemployment insurance compensation cap from $8,500 to $9,750.
New York's unemployment insurance benefit has not been increased since 2000, but the unemployment rate continues to escalate. Now is the time to help needy New Yorkers make ends meet to help them transition through this challenging economic period.
Thank you for your consideration and support on this important issue.
Sincerely,
Your Name Here
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Bill Status Date: 5/11/2009
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