MADISON, Wis. (WRN) — A bill from Republican lawmakers makes significant changes to Wisconsin’s Unemployment Insurance law.
UI would be referred to as “reemployment assistance.” Waukesha Representative Scott Allen says it gives job seekers “an extra push.”
“You know, we all need that extra little push, especially when we are discouraged. This is a compassionate bill designed to help people when they are at perhaps their lowest,” Allen said.
Milwaukee Representative Ryan Clancy questions the need for changes.
“I have no data to suggest that this would make a problem better, much less that there is a problem to fix in the first place,” Clancy said.
The bill mandates creation of a Division of Reemployment Assistance within the Department of Workforce Development and adds requirements for those seeking employment. It passed on a 4-2 committee vote Tuesday.
The Assembly Committee on Public Benefit Reform also passed a bill to prohibit local governments from using tax money for guaranteed income programs.