Contrary to Governor Doug Ducey\u2019s repeated assertion that \u201cArizona has done its part,\u201d state public policy leaders have done nothing to address Arizona\u2019s catastrophically inadequate unemployment benefits. Arizona has the opportunity to significantly change its poorly designed unemployment insurance (UI) program. The timing is ripe to improve benefits, as state regular UI benefits are mirrored in payments provided by federally-funded UI programs including Pandemic Unemployment Insurance (PUA), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) and Extended Benefits (EB).<\/p>\n
If Arizona\u2019s leaders adopt GCI\u2019s recommendations put forward in this policy brief, the state\u2019s unemployed workers will receive an additional $675 million in UI benefits paid for by federal programs.<\/p>\n
This move would generate a $1.6 billion net economic gain for the state and $107 million in state and local revenue.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"