House Democrats push through increased benefits for unemployed

February 6, 2009

OLYMPIA– In early session action today, House Democrats brought a bill to the Floor to “cushion the crash” of a stagnant economy. The bill increases unemployment-program benefits by $45 a week for workers in the program. Eligibility for retraining help is also broadened to take in honorably discharged veterans, disabled citizens, and low-wage workers.

House Democratic supporters of the bill dubbed it “Money for Main Street,” citing the immediate effect the added money will mean to families struggling to make ends meet, as well as the businesses that rely on them. “These are unemployed workers struggling to pay the rent, put food on the table, and buy shoes for their kids,” said Rep. Steve Conway (D – Tacoma), the sponsor of the bill. “They’re not high-end investors; they’re not hoarding this money. They’ll take this money to their local grocery store. And they’ll help that grocery store stay in business, as this money circulates throughout our economy.”

“This is a smart plan with a heart,” said Rep.Tina Orwall, (D - Normandy Park). “We understand the challenges people are facing, so we created this stimulus package designed to help struggling families and businesses, and to help them when they need it—which is now.”

The House Bill, HB 1906, was amended on the House Floor by Rep. Tim Probst (D – Vancouver) to make returning National Guard members eligible for unemployment training benefits. The bill previously applied only to honorably discharged military service members.

“National Guard members are serving our country, risking their lives overseas, and sometimes sacrificing their lives. They are there for us when we need them. So when our Guard members need us, we need to stand by them,” said Probst. “This amendment will help about 650 National Guard members who will soon be returning from Iraq, and coming home to face unemployment in a tough economy, while they wait for their next tour of duty overseas. We need to support them and get them the training they need to find good jobs.”

Currently, the unemployment insurance trust fund, in which all unemployment taxes are deposited, stands at $4.2 billion, eclipsing the amount held by any other state by almost half. With nearly twenty months of ability to pay out benefits to laid-off workers, the amount needed to implement HB 1906 would leave the fund well above a comfortable level of solvency, trimming only about a month from the reserves.

While the bill was passed from the House Commerce and Labor Committee along a partisan vote, only two House members ultimately voted on the House Floor against the higher benefits: Reps. Glenn Anderson (R - Fall City) and Bruce Chandler (R – Granger).

EHB 1906 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.