Jim Ward: Return Kansas unemployment benefits to the pre-Brownback era
Our neighbors are worried. Thousands of recent layoffs have created financial strain for many families, and it’s imperative the legislature acts immediately to provide resources to help them. That’s why I introduced a bill to help laid-off workers across Kansas.
Under former Gov. Sam Brownback, some of the tools we used to help laid off employees were drastically cut back, including unemployment benefits. Prior to changes made by the Brownback administration, employees had 26 weeks of benefits, and there’s no question we need to restore unemployment benefits to 26 weeks.
We all know someone impacted by Boeing’s difficulties with the 737 MAX that have caused significant layoffs in the Sedgwick County aviation sector. Wichita’s economy is the “most exposed” in the United States because of the Boeing groundings, per a recent release by Wells Fargo Securities Economics Group.
Our allowance of only 16 weeks of unemployment benefits — much lower than the 26 weeks that’s standard in most states — is insufficient, especially in a time of uncertainty like we’re in now.
The bill I introduced will return unemployment benefits in Kansas to 26 weeks and is an important step in helping our neighbors who have built our reputation as the Air Capital of the World. When the work returns, and I believe it will, I want to make sure the men and women with the skills to do the jobs are still here, not uprooted to other states that want to capitalize on their talent and job loss.
Thousands of jobs in our area are directly tied to the aviation industry. These jobs are high-skill, high paying jobs with benefits. We cannot afford to lose these workers to Oklahoma, Alabama or any other state.
Returning Kansas unemployment benefits to pre-Brownback levels by extending the number of weeks these benefits are available to 26 weeks is good not only for workers but vital to employers who need that skilled workforce to be here when the work returns.
This isn’t partisan. The legislature should come together and protect our skilled workforce in this time of chaos. Restoring 26 weeks of unemployment insurance is one of the laws we can enact to do that.