Resolution 200492
Calling on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to resolve ongoing complications within the State’s unemployment system to ensure all eligible Pennsylvanians receive their entitled compensation in a timely manner.
Introduced by
From the floor
Passages in the official transcripts that cite this file number. Every quote links to its exact place in the record.
“Okay. Thank you. So for the record, 200491 will be held for this particular session. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 200492.”
Council President Clarke · Stated Meeting, September 24, 2020 · Sep 24, 2020 · official transcript, this passage
Status timeline
- Sep 17, 2020Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar · CITY COUNCIL
- Sep 24, 2020ADOPTED · CITY COUNCIL
Official documents
Documents open on the City of Philadelphia’s legislative site.
Full text
Read the full text as published
..Title Calling on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to resolve ongoing complications within the State's unemployment system to ensure all eligible Pennsylvanians receive their entitled compensation in a timely manner. ..Body WHEREAS, The devastating economic fallout from the novel coronavirus pandemic is unprecedented, with unemployment rates surpassing those of the Great Recession in just a few months following the outbreak of the virus; and WHEREAS, The national unemployment rate remains high at 8.4 percent and latest reports show the Pennsylvania unemployment rate to be a staggering 13.7 percent; and WHERES, Over two million Pennsylvanians have applied for unemployment compensation since Governor Tom Wolf's economic shutdown on March 23, 2020; and WHEREAS, Thousands of Pennsylvanians who were approved for the unemployment benefit have reportedly failed to receive their entitled compensation; and WHEREAS, The Reading Eagle reported in July that some 225,000 workers were waiting to hear back from the Department of Labor and Industry regarding their benefits; and WHEREAS, Busy phone lines and unresponsive online tools leave claimants frustrated and unable reach a representative; and WHEREAS, Government must be held accountable to the needs of the people, particularly during times of crisis; and WHEREAS, While the coronavirus pandemic impacted all sectors and workplaces, including government agencies and public employees, the Commonwealth must rise to the occasion and make necessary adjustments to ensure that Pennsylvania residents receive entitled benefits without delay during this economic crisis; and WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry must adjust their staffing, speed the claims process, and become more responsive to those inquiring about the status of their claims; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUCNIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADEPLHIA, That it hereby calls on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to resolve ongoing complications within the State's unemployment system to ensure all eligible Pennsylvanians receive their entitled compensation in a timely manner ..End