DOL Announces Release of $89.3 Million in Unemployment Insurance Funds to Wisconsin
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Thursday, August 27, 2009 |
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The
U.S. Department of Labor certified for release $89,289,386 in
unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state
of Wisconsin. Wisconsin qualified for the remaining two-thirds of its
share of the funds available under the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by updating its UI program to reflect
the 21st century workforce.
"Wisconsin already received part of
its share of UI modernization funds for its longstanding policy of
helping unemployed workers who recently entered the labor force get the
assistance they deserve," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.
"Wisconsin has now updated its law to make it easier for workers who
become unemployed for compelling family reasons and workers who are
upgrading their skills to be eligible for benefits. These changes not
only help workers, but will contribute to the state's overall economic
recovery."
The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development can
use the funds to pay unemployment benefits or, if appropriated by the
legislature, to administer the state unemployment insurance program or
deliver employment services.
State and federal officials had the following comments about this announcement:
"The
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is meant to soften the harshest
aspects of the economic crisis which hit last year," said U.S. Rep.
Dave Obey, who represents Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District.
"Increased unemployment insurance for those who have lost their jobs is
only one part of national efforts to moderate the damage, but it is a
crucial part."
"With many of our jobs dependent on hard-hit
industries like manufacturing and agriculture, there are pockets of our
state where unemployment remains distressingly high," said U.S. Sen.
Herb Kohl. "These additional funds help support unemployed workers
seeking new jobs or learning new skills with an eye toward stable
employment."
"This unemployment funding from the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act will help support many Wisconsinites as
they work to get back on their feet during this economic downturn,"
said U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold. "Extending unemployment insurance helps
workers who have lost their jobs pay for life's basic necessities and
is a very effective way of stimulating the economy. I am pleased to see
the stimulus is continuing to invest in those who need it most."
"During
these difficult economic times, it's important we continue to invest in
our workers," said Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle. "The steps we took earlier
this year to bring our unemployment insurance program up to date now
mean more assistance for working families hit hard by the recession.
With these changes, we are receiving Recovery Act funds that we can use
to pay benefits, help people return to work and move our economy
forward."
The Recovery Act made a total of $7 billion available
in UI modernization incentive payments to states that include certain
eligibility provisions in their UI programs. Each state can qualify for
a share of those funds by showing that its law includes those
provisions. Wisconsin's approved application will be posted at the
department's Employment and Training Administration Web site at
http://www.doleta.gov/recovery. Other approved applications can also be
found on this site.
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