Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) on August 4 vetoed five bills related to unemployment insurance. The bills in the package included the following proposals:
- Broadening the definition of employment misconduct that would disqualify a fired person from claiming unemployment benefits.
- Requiring the Department of Workforce Development to create a process through which employers can disclose any known information about unemployment claimants that might disqualify them from benefits eligibility.
- Changing language referring to unemployment insurance to read reemployment assistance in all relevant state statutes and requiring drug testing for certain claimants.
- Requiring claimants to prove their identities when filing initial unemployment insurance claims.
The legislation was similar to a package that Evers vetoed in the previous legislative session.
Unemployment insurance is a joint federal and state program that provides temporary monetary benefits to eligible laid-off workers who are actively seeking new employment. Qualifying individuals receive unemployment compensation as a percentage of their lost wages in the form of weekly cash benefits while they search for new employment.
The federal government oversees the general administration of state unemployment insurance programs. The states control the specific features of their unemployment insurance programs, such as eligibility requirements and length of benefits.
For information about unemployment insurance programs across the country, click here.
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