House Republicans Clash Over Unemployment Fix

A proposed fix to the underfunded state unemployment insurance system has run into trouble in the House. The state owes the federal government $100-Million, the amount Missouri borrowed to shore up the fund. A bill before the House would cut the maximum weekly unemployment check from $270 to $250 until the fund reached a balance of $400-Million. That provision brought harsh criticism from Representative Todd Smith of Sedalia. Sponsor Brad Roark of Springfield defended his bill, saying no one can predict the future. Smith succeeded in stripping from the bill the provision that cuts unemployment checks. The House debated the bill for about two hours Tuesday before debated was suspended. No vote has been taken on the bill.