Niezgodski Refuses to Consider Tightening Eligibility to Save Unemployment Fund

Rep. Niezgodski pledges to oppose any adjustment of qualifications to receive unemployment benefits, placing the whole burden on struggling employers.

Rep. David Niezgodski (D-South Bend) is quoted in the Evansville Courier Post saying he opposes any adjustment of benefits in the state's failing unemployment insurance fund. Full article here. Excerpt:

The Republican point man on the issue, Sen. Dennis Kruse of Auburn, says the solution should be three-pronged: Employers should pay more into the system, jobless Hoosiers should take less out of the system in benefits and eligibility should be more strict so fewer people are eligible for benefits.

Democratic Rep. David Niezgodski of South Bend, who chairs the House Labor Committee, said Democrats simply won't accept benefits cuts or tightened eligibility restrictions.

Apparently Mr. Niezgodski either does not want to balance the unemployment benefits budget or he wants Indiana businesses to bare the entire burden of fixing the fund.  Either way, Hoosiers will not be well served.  In the present economic circumstances, putting more burdens on Indiana businesses would likely cause business closings or more layoffs.

The Indianapolis Business Journal has a good discussion of the issue here.

State Rep. Wes Culver (R-Goshen) has proposed a solution in a blog post at Hooiser Access entitled "Focusing Help on Those Who Need It." Read his post here.