Tuesday’s vote a first step toward UI modernization Print
Elections, Elected Officials, Political Parties
Written by Gordon Hintz Press, Rep. 54th Assembly District   
Wednesday, 24 February 2021 11:59

unemployment-application-wiAssembly Democratic Leader Gordon Hintz calls on Republicans to help finish fixing Wisconsin’s UI infrastructure and keep proposal to fully fund UI system overhaul in the 2021-23 budget.


MADISON – Tuesday, the Wisconsin State Assembly passed Special Session Senate Bill 1, which represents a step toward modernizing Wisconsin’s UI system and extends several important measures that remove barriers to unemployment benefits for Wisconsinites during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, Assembly Democratic Leader Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) released the following statement:

gordon-hintz“For nearly a year, legislative Democrats have called for the state legislature to take action and ensure Wisconsinites do not face unnecessary barriers or delays when applying for unemployment insurance benefits. I was pleased when Republicans and Democrats came together last April to approve some relief for Wisconsinites facing unemployment due to COVID-19. Unfortunately, the months since then have revealed just how out-of-date Wisconsin’s UI infrastructure truly is and it is unemployed Wisconsinites who have suffered.

“Today, I voted in favor of Senate Bill 1, which passed with strong bipartisan support. I didn’t vote for SB1 because it ensures sufficient funding to fix Wisconsin’s UI system - it does not. I didn’t vote for SB1 because it provides funding quickly enough - again, it does not. Rather, I voted for SB1 because it is a first step toward ensuring our unemployment infrastructure can meet the needs of Wisconsinites down the road.

“I now call on my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to work with us to finish fixing Wisconsin’s UI infrastructure and to keep Gov. Evers’ proposal to fully fund a UI system overhaul in the 2021-23 biennial budget. The COVID-19 pandemic has illuminated and exacerbated long-standing deficiencies in our UI infrastructure, and it is our responsibility to ensure the system functions when our constituents need it most.”

Last Updated on Thursday, 25 February 2021 12:16