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Bass, Steinberg Announce New Legislative Efforts to Aid Unemployed Californians
"Whenever we lose a job, we actually lose a job and a half. That's because the unemployed person has lost purchasing power," said Swanson. "This enhanced  unemployment insurance will give those in search of a new job the right to earn additional resources that will help keep them and their family afloat.  That also helps them continue to contribute to the economy, and any time we do that, we save jobs."

"Unemployment insurance is economic stimulus that has a profound, direct impact on thousands of Californians' lives," said DeSaulnier. "It's imperative that we bolster the unemployment insurance system when families are relying on it to pay their bills in these tough economic times."

 "The State as a whole is in need of immediate attention.  My region, the Inland Empire has been particularly hit hard with job losses and record foreclosures," said Negrete McLeod.  "Real solutions are what we need now to get people back to work and to stem the tide of rising unemployment and foreclosures.  We can't expect help from outside until we are able to show real progress here at home first. Something has to be done now."

Unemployment Insurance

This proposal contains two features.  The first improves the rules that govern eligibility for benefits and qualifies California for $900 million in federal economic stimulus funds.  The second encourages workers to stay in the market and sustain the economic viability of their communities.

Alternative Base Period

1.     An "alternative base period" allows workers who become unemployed to draw unemployment insurance benefits based on recent work experience.  A "base period" is used to establish unemployment insurance (UI) eligibility and benefit levels.  California's base period presently does not count earnings in the last 4 to 6 months of employment.  This reduces the benefits, and sometimes disqualifies many lower wage, seasonal workers.

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