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A06168 Memo:

NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION
 submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)



 
BILL NUMBER: A6168
 
SPONSOR: Lunsford

 
TITLE OF BILL:
 
An act to amend the labor law, in relation to increasing the unemploy-
ment insurance minimum weekly benefit amount
 
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
 
This bill increases the unemployment insurance minimum benefit amount to
$650.
 
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
 
Section 1 amends section 590 of the labor law to increase the unemploy-
ment insurance ("UI") minimum weekly benefit amount to $650
 
Section 2 sets forth the effective date.
 
 
JUSTIFICATION:

New York's current UI benefit levels lag behind our higher cost of
living, inflation rates, and the unemployment benefits of surrounding
states. As unemployment is at the lowest point in decades, now is the
time to create a new minimum UI 'benefit.
 
Currently, inflation and cost of living make the current UI benefit
grossly inadequate. Establishing a minimum UI benefit of $650 will
ensure all New Yorkers can make ends meet while seeking other employ-
ment. According to the Economic Policy Institute, women and workers of
color are disproportionately disadvantaged by the current UI system
because they are more likely to work in low-paying jobs, and thus
receive lower UI benefits.i This bill would address that inequality as
well as better compensate those seeking employment and avoid placing
more families on other forms of public assistance.
 
 
PRIOR HISTORY:
 
2024: Similar Bill (A.6752/Lunsford) Died in Labor
 
2023: Similar Bill (A.6752/Lunsford) Died in Labor

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
 
To be determined.
 
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after It shall have
become a law.

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