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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 21, 2021 12:44 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Patrick J. Harkins |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Unemployment Compensation Benefit Modernization Draw Downs |
| When state agencies act to protect the investments of the taxpayers of the Commonwealth, we need to be certain any hinderances in the law impeding these actions are removed. Namely, the Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) deserves to have the flexibility it needs to draw down funding for the modernization of the employment benefit delivery system (Benefit Modernization). Act 60 of 2017 provided funding for this project – under a specific timeline. When the project vendor did not meet certain timeframes, L&I withheld payment to enforce the contract and ensure that Benefit Modernization will be successful. This is how we expect agencies to protect taxpayer dollars, but the language provided in the current law could require L&I to forfeit some of the money allocated for this project - simply because they enforced the contract. If that occurs, L&I would need to divert funds from other aspects of the Unemployment Compensation program to cover the cost of Benefit Modernization. My bill will amend the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Law to provide a more flexible schedule for drawing down these funds when L&I is acting to protect taxpayer investment. This bill would not change the total amount of funding authorized for Benefit Modernization, and it is not intended to weaken the accountability provisions included in Act 60. State agencies respecting taxpayer funds and ensuring they are used properly merits our support. I hope you will join me in supporting this important legislation. |