Iowa officials propose payout change for first week of unemployment

https://www.radioiowa.com/2019/02/05/iowa-officials-propose-payout-change-for-first-week-of-unemployment/?fbclid=IwAR3v9zZokk3tXN6c-8J__95kzfNtPQoOcvImKR0vKplZOI6XhuFkGNHkhF8

The state’s Workforce Development agency is proposing a six-month delay in paying the first week of unemployment benefits.

Unions are sharply critical of the move, but the plan got initial approval from Republicans on a House subcommittee today.

“I think there are valid concerns on both sides and I just want to see the conversation continue,” Republican Representative Phil Thompson, a contractor from Jefferson, said near the end of today’s meeting.

Workforce Development proposes that the first week of jobless benefits be paid only after an employee uses up his or her yearly allowance of up to 26 weeks of unemployment. Three-quarters of Iowans who file for unemployment never reach that 26-week limit, so they would never get that first week of benefits.

I guess this somehow makes sense to Republicans?

Tom Courtney, former state senator from Burlington told me a story one day. He said he was giving a speech in at the full senate one day. He asked for a show of hands from those in the chamber who had ever worked for a paycheck and been laid off. Tom was the only one to raise his hand out of 50 members. This was @ 10 years ago. It sure illustrates what kind of representation workers get.