Pa. House GOP advances change to jobless benefits

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — State House Republicans are advancing a bill designed to prevent thousands of Pennsylvanians from losing jobless benefits, but Democrats say it would unfairly cut workers’ benefits.

The House Labor and Industry Committee voted along party lines today to amend and then approve a bill that previously passed the Senate unanimously.

It would increase how much severance pay counts against unemployment compensation and further define which actions constitute willful misconduct that prevents workers from collecting benefits.

The full House is expected to consider it next week.

The Legislature needs to make a technical change to state law by Saturday or 45,000 people will lose weekly checks early and 90,000 more could lose them early by year’s end. The bill will backdate benefits if lawmakers don’t pass it by Saturday.