Des Moines, Iowa — The governor’s bill that would reduce the maximum time Iowans can receive unemployment benefits from 26 weeks to 16 has cleared its first hurdle in the Iowa House.
People getting unemployment checks would have to accept a lower-paying job more quickly or lose their benefits if the bill becomes law. J.D. Davis, a lobbyist for the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, says the focus is on re-employment.
Molly Severn, the governor’s legislative liaison, says the bill is a priority for Reynolds.
Labor unions oppose the bill. Felicia Hinton, the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters, says it’s offensive for Governor Reynolds to suggest the safety net has become a hammock and propose a 40 percent reduction in unemployment benefits.
The bill also calls for delaying payment of the first week of unemployment benefits. Mike Gronstal, a lobbyist for the Iowa State Building and Construction Trades Union, says that’s a serious attack on the industry.
Two issues unrelated to unemployment are attached to the bill, and would provide additional liability protection to doctors and trucking companies.
