Panel Discusses Jobless Benefit Problems, Changes

South Carolina legislators are discussing changes to a state jobless benefit system that's now borrowed $634 million to keep weekly checks paid.

By: Associated Press | News Channel 7
Published: December 09, 2009

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina legislators are discussing
changes to a state jobless benefit system that's now borrowed $634
million to keep weekly checks paid.
Members of the ad hoc House panel said Wednesday they want to
ensure that people who fail drug tests can't get benefits. The
Employment Security Commission says claims involving drug abuse are
less than 1 percent of claims.
They're also trying to find ways to limit the ability of
companies to routinely lay off workers for things like plant
maintenance without having to pay higher premiums.
The state has to begin paying back its borrowing in a couple of
years or employers will begin losing tax breaks on the unemployment
insurance premiums they pay and that would cost more than $151
million during the next five years.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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