Unemployment benefits need saving
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Published: May 4, 2010
Out of the Great Depression were born several economic stabilization programs, including Social Security and our system of providing unemployment benefits to those who have lost their jobs during times of economic downturn. The idea of unemployment benefits was two-fold: provide a life raft to families who have lost their jobs, which in turn fuels businesses by keeping people spending.
But the system, recognized as working for 70 years in Vermont, is about to be dismantled. The Douglas administration is now proposing to drastically reduce, and in some cases completely eliminate, the modest unemployment benefits that unemployed Vermonters currently receive (average of $300 per week). The governor's proposals have the potential to affect every single Vermonter who unexpectedly finds him or herself laid off through no fault of their own.
If the Legislature adopts the proposed benefit cuts it will be bad for Vermont families, bad for Vermont businesses, and bad for Vermont's economy.
Joan A. Maclay
Essex Junction
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