Each year we accept nominations for awards to individuals who have had a profound impact on the Unemployment Insurance system as researchers, policy leaders and contributors to the integrity of the program. UWC announces the awards at the annual National Unemployment Insurance Issues conference. The conference is hosted by the National Foundation for Unemployment Compensation and [...]
Good news for employers doing business in Pennsylvania!!! See the release below from Governor Tom Wolf on January 8, 2020 and comment from the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry. Governor Tom Wolf today announced Pennsylvania businesses will see a reduction in their unemployment compensation (UC) tax rates, saving an estimated $552 million this year. The [...]
On Friday, December 20, 2019, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer released a statement announcing that in 2020, Michigan employers will no longer see an Obligation Assessment on their tax rate notice thanks to the early payoff of Michigan Finance Authority bonds by the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA). The UIA with its partners, sought to pay off the [...]
On December 31, 2018 Massachusetts enacted and the Governor signed into law legislation that would provide up to 26 weeks after regular unemployment compensation and other extended benefit and federal unemployment benefits are exhausted. The extension would be up to 26 weeks or for the duration of the lockout, whichever is shorter. Legislation Language The actual [...]
Yes, it is official!! After years of recovery from the 2008 recession and constantly increasing FUTA taxes due from employers in California, the state has finally met the key condition needed to avoid FUTA credit reductions: no outstanding Title XII loans. On November 10th , USDOL published the official notice. See also the spreadsheet "Final 2018 Federal Unemployment [...]
On November 5, 2018 the US Department of Labor published new UI Drug Testing Regulations for Comment. Comments may be submitted in response to the regulations by January 4, 2019. See the link above for instructions. New Interpretation Regulations In this NPRM, the Department now proposes a substantially different and more flexible approach to the statutory [...]
UWC Opposes Proposal to pay Unemployment Compensation to Individuals Who Quit for Reasons Not Connected to Work HR 6545 sponsored by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) addresses a long list of issues associated with the Violence Against Women Act. Unfortunately, the bill includes a provision in Section 702 that significantly amends the requirements of state UI [...]
On June 21, 2018 the White House released its “Delivering Government Solutions in the 21st Century Reform Plan and Reorganization Recommendations” See https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Government-Reform-and-Reorg-Plan.pdf The proposal seeks to organize parts of the federal government with a new alignment designed to eliminate duplication, enhance efficiency and improve service delivery. To be implemented, the proposal would require a comprehensive [...]
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the collection of data to support an analysis of alternative strategies for UI deficit financing. The issue of UI trust fund solvency is one that UWC and the National Foundation for Unemployment Compensation and Workers’ Compensation has tracked closely over the decades and through multiple recessionary periods. State [...]
The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 included new language specifically authorizing grants to states to administer an expanded RESEA program for claimants identified for services through the profiling system. The increased authority was developed through discussions with state workforce agencies, US DOL and UWC. The new program increases the focus of the UI program on integrity [...]
