Corbett Expected To Sign Unemployment Compensation Bill
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - Governor Corbett is expected to sign a bill that would reform Pennsylvania's unemployment compensation system, to erase a multi-billion dollar debt and control costs. The State House sent the bill to the governor yesterday.
The bill would authorize the state to borrow $4.5-billion to retire unemployment compensation debt owed to the federal government that carries a higher interest rate than the new borrowing. House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, an Allegheny County Republican, said there would also be a change to eligibility requirements.
"Less than 10-percent of unemployed claimants will be impacted and 90-percent will be completely unaffected."
But that's not good enough for Allegheny Democrat Frank Dermody, the House minority leader.
"There's no sacrifice from the employers here, while the employees are having their benefits slashed."
Workers who made 50.5 percent of their annual income or more in one quarter would no longer be eligible for benefits, a change from the current 63 percent limit.
