California’s Plan B for Unemployment Benefits

Image via iStock

BY EMILY HOEVEN | Calmmters

California has a lot riding on federal unemployment benefits set to expire this week.

The Golden State could sink even deeper into recession and lose thousands of more jobs if the Republican proposal to decrease weekly benefits from $600 to $200 is enacted, according to several recent studies. Congressional Democrats want to keep the $600 weekly addition to state unemployment benefits, which in California max out at $450.

California would lose about $1.4 billion weekly and $12.9 billion by the end of September under the GOP plan, according to the nonpartisan Century Foundation. It would also lose nearly 560,000 jobs over the next year, more than any other state, the progressive Economic Policy Institute found.

But if California Democrats have their way, the $600 additional weekly benefits will continue even if the GOP’s plan is approved.

Lawmakers on Monday released a $100 billion plan that proposes borrowing money from the feds to make up the difference in unemployment benefits — one of the few options California has to stimulate its own economy, CalMatters’ Ben Christopher reports.

  • Assemblymember Adam Gray, a Merced Democrat: “We cannot count on Washington, D.C., for anything these days. If we want solutions to the economic challenges created by COVID-19, we must have the resolve to create and fund them ourselves.”

More than 292,000 Californians applied for unemployment benefits last week, bringing the total to nearly 7 million since the onset of the pandemic.

Lawmakers on Thursday will conduct an oversight hearing on California’s beleaguered unemployment department — but a committee this week delayed consideration of Republicans’ request for a formal audit.

CalMatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

Pledge Now!
KPFK is a progressive media outlet challenging corporate media perspectives and providing a voice to voiceless communities. Help keep KPFK a strong and independent source of music, arts, news and information.

Schedule

  • Soundwaves

    8:00pm - 10:00pm

    Soundwaves Radio strives to bring you the best in all forms of music both new and old. Live guest DJ set's and producer performances as well as extensive interviews with artists from all over the globe.

  • Breakbeats and Rhymes

    10:00pm - Midnight

    Breakbreats and Rhymes Radio, bringing you the finest in Hip Hop music and more, broadcasting live late Friday nights from 10 p.m.-12 a.m.

  • Midnight Snack

    Midnight - 2:00am

    A blend of house, electro pop, and everything in between with DJ Dani Mamath

  • World Massive

    2:00am - 4:00am

    Hand picked Massive music from every corner of the globe with Dj D.Painter

Events

Today's Weather

  • Los Angeles Area Forecast

    Sunny intervals

    High: 64°F | Low: 52°F

Weather Forecast

  • Fri

    64°F

  • Sat

    63°F

  • Sun

    66°F

  • Mon

    72°F

  • Tue

    75°F

Follow us on Social Media