Unemployment increase active in Senate Labor and Commerce

By Bradners’ Alaska Legislative Digest

A hearing on increasing the state unemployment compensation benefit is scheduled Saturday, Feb. 9, in the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee. Senate Bill 120, by Sen. Johnny Ellis, D-Anchorage, extends the payment amounts and raises the Alaska maximum weekly benefit amount from $248 to $370 a week. The Alaska unemployment benefit amount has been frozen since 1997. Over the last 20 years inflation has increased 71 percent, while the benefit has increased only 31 percent. State Department of Labor data also shows the Alaska is last among states in terms of percentage of replacement of lost weekly wages. Versions of this bill have been active in over the past several years and twice were poised for passage but faltered in the midst of last minute battles between the House and Senate.