SB 9107: Wage Insurance Act (Passed)

[tmthforu94]

I agree that the Senate version was an improved version, but regardless of which version reached me,
I would plan to veto for a number of reasons: considering our current economic/employment numbers, I question the necessity and I don't think this is a good use of taxpayer dollars. I also don't agree with the eligibility requirements - if anything I think this should be more tailored to longer tenured employees who are laid off that may have more issues finding a new career path.

[Lumine]

Aye (3): Tack, On Progressive, Devout Centrist
Nay (2): Yankee, MAINEiac
Abstaining (0):

SB 9107 has been passed on the House version, will be sent to the President's desk.

AN ACT
To provide lost wages to displaced workers through the formation of a Wage Insurance Program

Section 1: Title and Definitions
1. This act may be cited as the "Wage Insurance Act."
2. "Displaced Workers" shall be defined as workers currently earning less than $40,000 a year who had previously held a job where they earned at least $40,000 before being laid off.
3. "Laid off" shall be defined as being fired without cause.

Section 2: Creation of a Wage Insurance Program
1. A federal program, entitled the "National Wage Insurance Fund", shall be formed within the federal government.

Section 3: Functioning of the Wage Insurance Program
1. The National Wage Insurance Fund shall administer categorical grants to regional unemployment insurance programs.
2. The grant money shall be spent by the regional governments on wage insurance for displaced workers.
3. Eligible workers shall receive-
a. Half of the difference between the initial wage 13 weeks prior to being laid off and an eligible worker's new wage
b. Reimbursement of any applicable job training or retraining costs
4. Congress shall be responsible for allocating the necessary funds to the federal program, and thence to the regional governments.
5. The regional governments will be responsible for determining how many people at the regional level qualify for the program, and thence distributing the grant money accordingly.

Section 4: Eligibility Requirements
1. An eligible worker shall be defined as-
a. Any displaced worker who has spent not less than 3 years in their current position of employment
b. Any displaced worker who is not eligible to receive assistance under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act.
c. Any displaced worker who has been unemployed for not more than 15 weeks.
3. Eligible workers shall not receive wage assistance exceeding $10,000 per annum.
4. Eligibility for wage assistance shall close after a period of two fiscal years since rehiring.

Section 5: Cost
1. The Department of the Game Moderator shall be responsible for determining the cost of the fund.

Section 6: Implementation
1. This bill shall be implemented at the start of the next fiscal year.

People's House of Representatives
Passed 5-4-0 in the People's House assembled,


People's Regional Senate
Passed 3-2-0 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

x LumineVonReuental