I welcomed the recent efforts by the Evers Administration to address the backlog of unemployment claims piling up at the Department of Workforce Development, but this may be a case of too little too late. My office has received numerous contacts from individuals who have been waiting over two months to receive benefits they are entitled to. This is especially damaging when the cause of unemployment is the government itself in many cases.
The Administration also recently announced plans to spend federal funding that WI received through the CARES Act. Out of the $1.9 billion that Governor Evers controls, he has dedicated ZERO to assist with clearing the backlog of unemployment claims. Receiving earned unemployment benefits weeks or months late is not helpful when individuals are out there trying to pay their rent or mortgage and put food on the table. This is unacceptable and needs to be given the attention it deserves!