This story is taken from Sacbee / Capitol and California
jsanders@sacbee.com
Published Monday, Mar. 23, 2009
Legislation to extend unemployment insurance benefits for an estimated 469,000 Californians was approved Monday by the Assembly.
The measure, approved 76-0, would provide an additional 20 weeks of benefits for jobless workers who exhaust the maximum 59 weeks of aid available now.
Federal stimulus funds would bankroll the five-month extension, which is expected to be considered Thursday by the Senate.
To take effect immediately, Assembly Bill 23 X3 must be approved by a two-thirds majority of each legislative house, then signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Assemblyman Joe Coto, D-San Jose, reminded colleagues Monday that the recession has caused deep pain to families statewide.
"These federal dollars are critically needed," Coto said of the estimated $2.5 billion to $3 billion in extra federal aid.
"They're in trouble," Republican Assemblyman Jim Nielsen of Gerber said about longtime jobless workers. "And this is going to help."
The bill was stalled in the Assembly last week because Republicans wanted more time to ensure that the state would not be obligated to continue the extension once the federal funding expires this year.
Minor amendments were made Monday to satisfy GOP concerns.
Benefits under California's unemployment insurance program range from $65 to $475 per week, based on income earned over a one-year period.
Separately, the Legislature also is considering a bill to permanently change eligibility rules so that about 26,000 seasonal workers could qualify for unemployment benefits.
The Senate is expected Thursday to vote on the bill affecting seasonal workers as well. The measure, SB3 X3, can be approved by a majority vote. It passed the Assembly last week. Even if signed into law, however, the rule changes would not take effect for an estimated two or three years. The Employment Development Department would have to alter its computers and create a system for collecting data from employers.
Schwarzenegger supports the concept of both unemployment insurance bills but has not taken a position on specific bills.
