Members of the House Finance Committee carried forward a bill that will reduce the quantity of checks to unemployed people over time, while the employers will also increase the amount paid by the employers in the unemployment trust fund of the state.
The committee upgraded SB 841 on 14-9 votes after three and a half hours of discussion. The bill now goes to the floor of the House during the last week of regular legislative session.
John Hardy
The comments by the Finance Committee Vice President John Hardy demonstrated the struggle – called the bill “a hot mess”, but also said that he would vote to pursue it on the floor.
Hardy said that the Senate had recently rolled out the unemployment bill. And Hardy said that he would have to explain to employers in his Martinsburg district, even with the current low unemployment rates, they will increase the amount paid in the unemployment trust fund from $ 8,000 to $ 10,000 in the state code to $ 10,000.
But Hardy concluded that the bill would make the unemployment trust fund more stable in the long race.
“I think this is a long -term solution of the pressure we are looking at,” a Republican, Hardy said. “I am not going to be an enemy of good to complete it and make sure we are getting our long -term plan.
“So I am going to put my arm on the flora and hold my nose and jump at the deep end and support this piece of law.”
State officials said the bill could add stability to the unemployment trust fund, which has a current balance of about $ 390 million.
West Virginia Labor Organizations destroyed the growth of the bill.
Josh sword
“These hard -working people should be able to rely on a constant unemployment benefit, one he earned like healthcare and retirement, and this law would not only cut the number of weeks available, but of time Also will reduce the profit, “Josh Talwar, president of West Virginia AFL-CIO, said in a statement distributed after the committee’s vote.
“We cannot understand that this bill, which will also increase taxes on employers, is being pushed in the last week of the legislative session, especially when the fund is completely healthy, and make crisis-level unemployment for many years. Can keep. “
The bill will allow unemployment eligibility of a maximum of 24 weeks. Right now, West Virginia has a maximum of 26 weeks.
The bill will reduce the amount of profit over time.
The new proposal will begin at 70% of the average weekly wages-over the first four weeks period of-the current rate over the current rate.
From there, the benefits will gradually decrease. Therefore for the second four -week period, the profit rate will be 65% of the worker’s weekly wages. This will continue through a period of sixth four weeks when the profit rate will be 45%.
Workforce West Virginia officials again testified to the House Finance Committee that changes could stabilize the unemployment funds. He cited modeling, showing that if West Virginia has an average of 10 percent unemployment, the trust fund could be erased in 91 weeks – which is shy for just two years.
Lary rowe
Representative Larry Rowe, D-Kanwa, was incredible. “This is a very good fund if you can hit 10 percent unemployment for 91 weeks and run out of money,” Rowe said.
The unemployment bill was first introduced to the Senate Finance Committee on 24 February, against the deadline to transfer the bills out of the committee. Bill then passed the Senate, dramatically changed how it was introduced for the first time to move from one chamber to another in the last day.
The first version of the Senate Unemployment Bill was criticized for presenting against the background of hundreds of job loss in cleaveland-cliffs and allegheni wood products at warehon at places around the state.
This version will not be effective until January 1, 2025.
Bob faharanbacker
“The recent announcements are very unfortunate,” representative Bob Ferrenbaiker, R-Wood said, “but it keeps the state in a sound position. The stability and forecast of the fund, and as it belongs to employers, is important and it is important and it is important and it is. He also takes care of those who are unemployed.
Clay relay
Delegate Clay relay, R-Hyrison, agreed.
“This restores the stability for our unemployment system, ensuring that the West Virginis have lost their jobs, have a safety trap to return to their feet, and it is the stability and stability towards state employees and employers and The forecast provides, “Riley said.