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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | August 13, 2020 02:29 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Katie J. Muth |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Protecting Unemployment Compensation Benefits for Poll Workers |
| In the near future, I will be introducing legislation that would exclude poll worker pay from the calculation for the worker’s weekly unemployment compensation benefits. Poll workers are critically important to ensuring our constituents are able to exercise the right to vote. COVID-19 has exacerbated the shortage of poll workers, a problem Pennsylvania was facing even before the pandemic. Under current law, if an unemployed individual worked at a polling location and is paid, they would have to report those earnings when they filed their biweekly unemployment compensation claim. If those earning exceed 30% of an individual’s weekly benefit rate, their weekly benefit payment is reduced dollar-for-dollar. This legislation would simply exempt poll worker pay from the calculation of the worker’s weekly unemployment compensation benefits. People should not be penalized for being an engaged citizen and supporting our elections by participating as a poll worker. Please join me in supporting Pennsylvania’s poll workers and cosponsoring this piece of legislation. |