| Author | Subject: Immediate Action Needed - Oregon Senate vote on Friday |
| Del | Posted At 21:59:47 03/29/2001
Oregonians, We know what it's like to be denied benefits when we need it the most. Please call your state senator and OPPOSE SB 397 which reduces funding for unemployment benefit improvements for laid-off workers; Ask your senator to SUPPORT the SB 397 Minority Report, which would preserve current funding levels for unemployment benefits – and keep the door open for improving benefits for laid-off workers. Contact your state by clicking here. SB 397 Threatens to Close the Door on Unemployment Insurance Benefit Improvements…The Senate Revenue Committee took a dangerous step toward closing the door on any needed expansion of Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits on Tuesday when it voted to move SB 397 to the Senate floor. SB 397 proposes to change the schedule of UI tax rates so that employers would pay $30 million to $95 million less per year to support benefits for unemployed workers beginning in 2003. These reductions are proposed in addition to a $90 million reduction in UI taxes paid by employers this year pursuant to a formula that sets employer tax rates based on funds available to pay benefits. “Why commit to reduce funding for unemployment benefits starting two years from now, when we have yet to determine whether existing benefits will be adequate to meet the need of laid-off workers in the interim?,” Oregon AFL-CIO President Tim Nesbitt asked the committee. Nesbitt pointed to the growing number of plant closures and mass layoffs due to foreign imports, the energy crisis and the downturn in the economy. And he noted that Oregon cuts off benefits for dislocated workers at 26 weeks, whereas laid-off workers in industries affected by closures and dislocations can qualify for up to 104 weeks of benefits in Washington state. Nesbitt’s testimony touched off a far-ranging discussion of the impact of plant closures throughout the state and some pointed questioning of business representatives about their willingness to support benefit improvements. But the committee voted to move the bill by a vote of 5-2, with Senators Susan Castillo and Tony Corcoran opposed. Senators Castillo and Corcoran are now working on an alternative bill, known as a “minority report,” to be taken up when SB 397 comes up for a vote on the Senate floor next week. The Castillo-Corcoran alternative would require the state to hold off on the employer tax reductions until it considers the impact of any expansion or improvement of benefits approved during this session of the legislature. A floor vote on SB 397 is expected early next week. We need calls to your senators to: OPPOSE SB 397, which reduces funding for unemployment benefit improvements for laid-off workers; SUPPORT the SB 397 Minority Report, which would preserve current funding levels for unemployment benefits – and keep the door open for improving benefits for laid-off workers. |
| Del |
Re: Immediate Action Needed - Oregon Senate vote on Friday (Currently 0 replies)
Posted At 22:10:07 03/30/2001 Many injured workers are forced into the unemployment system when denied WC benefits or (illegally) terminated after being injured. There's still time to voice your concerns to your state senator! The following, as such with most of the 1st post was copied from the Oregon AFL-CIO Legislative Update. Senate Postpones Vote on Bill To Cut Unemployment Taxes…In the face of mounting opposition, the Oregon Senate postponed a vote today on SB 397, which would reduce employer contributions to the unemployment insurance fund and undermine funding for hoped-for benefit improvements for laid-off workers. Your Senator needs to hear from you to: OPPOSE SB 397, which reduces funding for unemployment benefit improvements for laid-off workers; SUPPORT the SB 397 Minority Report, which would preserve current funding levels for unemployment benefits – and keep the door open for improving benefits for laid-off workers. |
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