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Rep. Lynn Kessler, serving the 24th District Serving Clallam, Jefferson, and part of Grays Harbor counties. |
Increased unemployment benefits come at right time for Grays Harbor
Kessler, Van De Wege vote to increase weekly benefit
February 6, 2009
OLYMPIA – The House of Representatives voted today to increase benefits
for unemployed workers by an additional $45 a week. The measure passed 91-2
with bipartisan support this morning.
The extra money comes just in
time for families in Grays Harbor County. The sudden closure of a saw mill
and veneer plant in Aberdeen last month left 221 workers without jobs and
many families wondering what the future holds.
“It’s about $200 a
month extra in people’s pockets at a time when they need it most,” said Rep.
Lynn Kessler (D – Hoquiam). “It also will help our struggling local
businesses, because people will have money to spend.”
Kessler’s
seatmate, Rep. Kevin Van De Wege (D – Sequim), thinks the increased benefit
is a stimulus package that will make an immediate difference.
“Every
county is hurting right now, but Grays Harbor is hurting particularly
badly,” Van De Wege said. “We’ve seen a lot of family-wage jobs disappear.
People need help, right now. And they’re going to get that help because we
took action today.”
The bill now goes to the Senate, where action is
expected to be taken on it next week.
“There is a sense that we need
to move this along quickly, and everyone is working together to make that
happen,” Kessler said.
The bill number is
HB 1906.