The delays that individuals across the Commonwealth are experiencing with the PA Department of Labor & Industry's Unemployment Compensation system are entirely unacceptable. I have repeatedly communicated with the department Secretary and staff about the issues my constituents are facing and the outrageous wait time for payments. Just yesterday the Director of UC stated in an interview that "there is no backlog anymore when it comes to general claims processing." Tell that to my constituents that have gone without a single penny from UC since mid-March or even earlier!After a hearing that day, State Senator John DiSanto (R-15) called on the Governor to request the resignation of Jerry Oleksiak, Pa.'s Secretary of Labor and Industry. His department is using a 40 year-old computer system that was supposed to have been replaced two years ago. Pandemic Unemployment Assistance for the self-employed, funded by the federal government, only went live yesterday, seven weeks after Wolf's lockdown.
For that reason, my focus has been on getting people safely back to work wherever possible since there is little confidence in the current uc system. People have gone without a pay check for far too long!
Here's what some people have said:
Karen - "My mother hasn’t gotten a penny in spite of getting card, pin, and determination letter, and now dad is furloughed from his DCNR position as well, and I see a bill pending to eliminate those state jobs altogether.."
Sue - "My husband filed on 3/17 and subsequently biweekly since, has not received one penny to date. Absolutely ridiculous!"
Harold - "We don't need unemployment, we need to get back to work!"
Missy - "Well i wasn't denied but i filed on March 22 2020 and to this date as of today still did not receive any money as of yet nice right 7 weeks really plz can i have my money."
Laura - "My daughter has been without income since March Hairdressers are getting no help She is single Mom with ZERO help."
Carolynn - "Filed over 6 weeks ago and I received a pin and was told to file even though I wasn't approved yet???? I keep filing when I'm supposed to... but i have not receive a letter of determination or any money."
Karen II - "I filed end of March. I was approved and was sent paperwork saying how much I would be paid. I received my pin #. I have emailed many times and was told 2 weeks ago that funds were released and harrisburg would pay me in 3-4 business days. Still nothing! Over a month with NO income. People that I know that filed after me are getting money. How long do I need to go with no income???"
And Wolf drives a Jeep Wrangler.
70 comments:
How is it that an unemployment system that has been in place for decades cannot process the applications. With several years of record low unemployment the fund should be bursting with money, or did the politician figure out how to spend the money on other things.
We can go fishing, boating, walk on piblic trails and even play golf..but we are still supposed to stay home..how FUCKUP is that....Gov Wolf need to get His head out of His ass.....Whoever votes for this Fuckhead again needs a pshyciatric evaluation!!!!!!
try
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2017/04/auditor_general_it_fix_to_stat.html
"DePasquale's findings come in the wake of an ugly funding fight that led to the December closure of three of the state's eight unemployment compensation service centers and the layoff of some 488 L&I staffers when Republican state senators balked at another infusion of $57 million into the system.
(521 positions were eliminated the audit found;
"The layoffs, the audit found, plunged the claims-processing system into worse shape than it's ever been.
A short-term truce was reached in that fight this month with agreement between Gov. Tom Wolf and legislative leaders to release $15 million. That will bring back about 200 L&I staffers for the rest of the calendar year."
So when" Scavello slammed Governor Tom Wolf" guess he forgot what just happened when republicans gutted the system in Dec.2019
And of course Wolf getting 200 workers back means nothing to the Wolf bashers.
4.46
try
https://www.pennlive.com/midstate/2013/07/pa_terminates_contract_with_ib.html
"Later in the day, Gov. Tom Corbett declined comment about the matter at this time, saying it would be premature for him to comment. But he did note that the state has sought restitution in other instances like this."
Fuck WOLF let all open up this guy must be stopped he is destroying our state.
The women from Dallas must be our example--open up Wolf is bad news for pa.
Hey, what about that ruthless inefficiency the IRS has shown in sending out the $1,200 checks?
Yes, Gov. Wolf clearly is the source of everything that's wrong with America. It's now all so clear!
Wolf is doing a good job of securing a victory for Trump in November. What a jerkoff.
Yes, just what we need is a well functioning unemployment system to justify the oppression. Shame on those that find solace in being a good soldier and hide in his or her closet. Life doesn't work like that. Everyone should embrace the angry wind.
If we're hiding, it's from the likes of you. Go breathe on someone else.
What those of you who would so bravely risk the lives of others don't get is that most people aren't with you and aren't going to frequent many types of businesses until we feel it's safer to do so. (Zero risk is out the door until there's an effective vaccine.)
Hearing your indifference to our safety only makes us feel that we're that much further away, so you're truly not helping your cause (unless your objective is to be able to go back to your old bar stool and drink all afternoon).
I'm always impressed when I read one of the No Precaution Crowd talking about "ending the quarantine for the healthy". I get your dog whistle: you're low-risk and so the spread of the Trump Virus is someone else's problem.
Frankly, we're waiting until you catch the virus and begin to get the point. I figure that'll take 2-6 weeks to sink it. Grab your ankles, baby!
The people can stay home then they are safe the rest ou can do what we want--that is the old american way
8:42--stay home and shut up you Wolf people are bad news you are causing more deaths than the virus-WOLF AND HIS FOLLOWERS ARE THE PROBLEM
Anonymous said...
The people can stay home then they are safe the rest ou can do what we want--that is the old american way
May 8, 2020 at 10:02 AM
No, we're going to let you and the other High Risk-Takers get out there and infect each other. One you're in the hospital we'll take our turn.
Get well soon!
Anonymous said...
8:42--stay home and shut up you Wolf people are bad news you are causing more deaths than the virus-WOLF AND HIS FOLLOWERS ARE THE PROBLEM
May 8, 2020 at 10:06 AM
I guess this is why you and yours are so eager to sacrifice us. Instead, you'll probably just kill off each other. And no doubt you'll STILL blame Gov. Wolf because, I guess, he didn't do enough.
Anonymous said...
What those of you who would so bravely risk the lives of others don't get is that most people aren't with you and aren't going to frequent many types of businesses until we feel it's safer to do so. (Zero risk is out the door until there's an effective vaccine.)
Hearing your indifference to our safety only makes us feel that we're that much further away, so you're truly not helping your cause (unless your objective is to be able to go back to your old bar stool and drink all afternoon).
How do you know what others think? Are they reporting in daily with their feelings to your care line? You speak for yourself, nothing more.
The world doesn't revolve around your high opinion of yourself, especially if the world is unemployed and starving. Let people decide for themselves what risks they are willing to take. If you are afraid stay home. If you are high risk stay home. Noting risked nothing gained.
11:49--Wolf is bad news for pa--he is killing far more people than he is saving that is a fact
Hey, I couldn't stop the High Risk Takers if I tried. Neither, really, can the Governor. But I certainly will minimize my own exposure to the extent practicable, and I believe that most people will do the same.
But because of the High Risk crowd, I believe the infection rate will rise in the next few weeks, and presumably those who engage in high risk behavior will see their own families affected. Maybe then they will connect the dots, I don't know. Some people just can't be helped.
Anonymous said...
11:49--Wolf is bad news for pa--he is killing far more people than he is saving that is a fact
May 8, 2020 at 1:19 PM
You're just pulling this out of a hat. "Far more" based on what scientific data, exactly? Otherwise, just keep clicking together your heels.
Old people are selfish. Did we shut down the country when polio was devastating kids under 15? No. But we're shut down for a disease that's primarily taking 70+ people. We went too far.
Yes. old people are selfish. They should just throw themselves off of a tall building, right?
Thanks for showing your true colors.
No. And your hyperbole betrays a simple mind. We shouldn't shut everybody down for a single age group that could be isolated and protected - just as was done with under 15 kids in the 50s.
Anonymous said...
ALet people decide for themselves what risks they are willing to take. If you are afraid stay home. If you are high risk stay home. Noting risked nothing gained.
May 8, 2020 at 12:34 PM
That's what I always says about life-threatening viruses. But I need not stand aside why the High Risk Crowd needlessly puts me and others in danger.
33 million unemployed. Healthcare job losses for April were a bloodbath. What are the repercussions of this to the nation's overall health? Wow. The bill in human life for the unintended consequences we've created is going to be stunning.
Anonymous said...
No. And your hyperbole betrays a simple mind. We shouldn't shut everybody down for a single age group that could be isolated and protected - just as was done with under 15 kids in the 50s.
May 8, 2020 at 1:52 PM
Sorry. I'm elderly, but the world is just as much mine as yours. The problem is that many wants to move around in my world without adequate safeguards, thus needlessly endangering me. Visits to the tattoo parlor just will have to wait.
Anonymous said...
33 million unemployed. Healthcare job losses for April were a bloodbath. What are the repercussions of this to the nation's overall health? Wow. The bill in human life for the unintended consequences we've created is going to be stunning.
May 8, 2020 at 2:27 PM
Had Pres. Dimwit acted without delay, none of this would've been necessary.
2:31 Nothing would have stopped this. The damage could have been lessened with a quicker response from the Feds but not prevented. There is no way to keep everyone at home and that is why this spread and will continue to spread. Someone has to go to work to care for the sick and to keep the lights on. It's those "essential" workers. The horse has left the barn. Get Trump out of your head, you will feel better.
-A never Trump Republican
I got news for all you folks. Nobody cares anymore. Stores that are open are packed. Traffic is way up. The rules are stupid. It's ok to go in a packed home depot, but you can't go in a small store that could actually control access, which would be safer. How dumb is that?
I sense that people played along for the good of the state, but with 6% of the states hospital beds occupied by Covid patients,I think it's safe to say we accomplished our goal of flattening the curve. it seems now the narrative is testing, testing, testing! Now we are ramping up testing and it's; second wave, second wave! If you scared stay home, people have families to feed.
Anonymous said...
2:31 Nothing would have stopped this. The damage could have been lessened with a quicker response from the Feds but not prevented. There is no way to keep everyone at home and that is why this spread and will continue to spread. Someone has to go to work to care for the sick and to keep the lights on. It's those "essential" workers. The horse has left the barn. Get Trump out of your head, you will feel better.
-A never Trump Republican
May 8, 2020 at 2:55 PM
I'm not sure that we disagree. Had Pres. No Responsibility done his job, we seemingly could've contained the infection much better. Then the shutdowns from which we're currently emerging would've been more effective and we could've been better prepared to cope with the current relaxation of restrictions.
I figure I'll start to feel better about The Orange One the day after the upcoming election. See you at the polls (by mail, of course).
Anonymous said...
I got news for all you folks. Nobody cares anymore. Stores that are open are packed. Traffic is way up. The rules are stupid. It's ok to go in a packed home depot, but you can't go in a small store that could actually control access, which would be safer. How dumb is that?
I sense that people played along for the good of the state, but with 6% of the states hospital beds occupied by Covid patients,I think it's safe to say we accomplished our goal of flattening the curve. it seems now the narrative is testing, testing, testing! Now we are ramping up testing and it's; second wave, second wave! If you scared stay home, people have families to feed.
May 8, 2020 at 2:56 PM
That has not been my observation. The relatively few stores that are open around me aren't particularly crowded, but maybe you can get only so excited about Sam's or a convenience store.
Polling data indicate that most people aren't ready to get back out there. I am among them. Maybe particular stores will impress me with the precautions that they take, but I think the wife and I will wait to see how the infection rate goes.
Freedom Fighter for Indiscriminate Opening here. Why do these damned kids need teachers, anyway? Just throw them out there into the world and let them sink or swim. That system sure worked for me.
The government shuts down the economy, everybody gets laid off, then nobody can get through to unemployment. Then they are pissed that people show up protesting at the state house LOL. It's like a bad joke.........
I find it interesting that the people advocating for a more prolonged shutdown never have an answer for the folks who live pay check to pay check, who have kids and families to feed, who have businesses that are circling the drain. They scream your putting me at risk, well, stay home, it's your right and I respect it, but just because you have a monthly check and a fat 401k to rely on doesn't mean we all do.
3:37, you can't even approach this discussion without making all sorts of assumptions. They are incorrect.
I sympathize with those who want to go back to work, but the economy is only going to get worse if the Trump Virus spreads more. We should look to the medical community to tell us when and how to reopen, which is what Gov. Wolf is doing.
It's really not all that complicated.
The unemployment rate in PA will go over 2 million people before Memorial Day. The small biz who secured PPP loans will see the “forgivable” portion expire beginning next week and a business cannot borrow money(regardless of the interest rate) when money is not coming in to pay an employee who is not working. From what I'm seeing in my corner of the small business world, I think 15 to 20% will be staying on unemployment after the state reopens due to the damage already done. Although I really hope not.
The damage isn't all economic.
4:00 I've dealt with mom and pops for 25 years and their business is their identity. Their entire emotional and financial lives are intertwined with the business. Many have multiple family members employed and many are in multiple generations of ownership. Wolf extending this misery and possibly ending businesses over the flu has potentially awful consequences that go far beyond monetary.
The state government shuts down the economy the local school board still raises taxes and nobody cares
3.37
"scream your putting me at risk, well, stay home, it's your right and I respect it, "
No you think your wishes are more important than anyone else's.
Those who want to continue the shutdown have science on their side.
The open everything crowd has vague guesses and are willing to risk others health.
As to the answer you want?
short answer --too bad.
Longer answer--Everyone has had problems and has suffered in one way or the other.
Your particular problem is no more important than mine.
The safety nets that exist clearly need improvement --yet keep in mind the scope of the disease and the inertia of government.
Saw this is USA Today that states up to 150k deaths could be attributed to shutting down the economy:
The new study, released Friday by the Well Being Trust and the American Academy of Family Physicians, factored in isolation and uncertainty when it calculated the expected deaths from suicide, alcohol and drugs, based on nine unemployment scenarios.
The likely toll from these "deaths of despair" was the loss of an additional 75,000 lives, the study found. Death estimates ranged from 27,644 if the economy recovers quickly, to 154,037 if recovery is slow.
4.15
"Wolf extending this misery and possibly ending businesses over the flu has potentially awful consequences that go far beyond monetary."
fair enough.
So what do you tell the families of the dead after everything opens and Corona cases cause more deaths?
3:45PM, anyone that calls the Coronavirus the "trump virus", well, there is no intelligent discussion to be had there. It shows a maturity level of an adolescent. I saw a poll that 60% of Democrats blame Trump more than China for the virus. Not a big fan of Trump, but quite frankly that tells me just how unhinged my former party is. China is at fault here, they lied, and for 6 days allowed international travel from Wuhan Province while shutting down domestic travel.
4:28 I won't have to tell them anything. Dr Fauci said death trails cases. Deaths have been decreasing in PA. PA cases have been declining even as testing has increased. Treatments have improved since the start of the pandemic which increases survival rates going forward. Hospitals are using less than 7% of their capacity. The hospitals potential for being overwhelmed was the main indicator for the high death rate forecasted by the Imperial model and why the shutdown was initially enacted. Elderly with mulitple comorbidities have perished and while sad, that also will lower the go-forward death rate.
So on May 8 if you are not in a nursing home, you have statistically zero chance of dying while shopping at a non essential store that sells similar wares to what one would find at BJ's, COSTCO, Home Depot, Lowes, Target, Wal-mart but are locally owned.
@4:24, my wishes are to feed my family! You are home comfortable getting a pension, SS or working from home. I guess it's too bad for everyone else! You got yours so screw everyone else! Kids starving who cares 4:24 got his. Such a nice person. How is me going back to work putting little ole you at risk?? I understand that people have medical problems, that 35% of our society is obese,(which I suspect many arguing to stay closed are) they can stay home. Boomers are the most selfish generation in the history of this country, not all but many. SMH. Too bad. Wow, it's mind boggling. You want to argue science? The science says if you're healthy you have about as much chance of dying from this virus as getting hit by a car. Two thirds of the deaths in this state are people in nursing homes. Average age of deceased is 79. Almost all deaths involve at least one cormorbidity. There's your science, straight from the transgender pediatrician masquerading as an infectious disease expert.
@4:28 what do you tell the families of the possible up to 150k, according to USA Today, dying from addiction, suicide, and other deaths of despair due to the economy being closed? Life has risks, nothing is risk free. As someone who is healthy and in good physical shape I will take my chances on the .0003% death rate for someone like me. I will social distance, wear my mask. Nobody is saying bars and restaurants, concerts and sporting events. A common sense approach with precaution is in order here. Shit, I got a better chance of getting hit by lighting than dying from this flu.
5.02
" my wishes are to feed my family! You are home comfortable getting a pension, SS or working from home. I guess it's too bad for everyone else! You got yours so screw everyone else! Kids starving who cares 4:24 got his. Such a nice person. How is me going back to work putting little ole you at risk?"
actually i have had to wait like lot's of folks and have suffered financially.
your rant is way off base as to my situation.
Again you are willing to risk others for your own purposes.
So how many lives are you willing to lose for your aims?
BTW how are you going to feed your family strapped into a ventilator?
Average Corona stay is 40 k.
So you can drive up everyone's insurance?
everyone else gets to cover your costs because you want what you want.
"The science says if you're healthy you have about as much chance of dying from this virus as getting hit by a car."
Well i do not wander out on the highway yet you think it is your right to do so.
And you want me to subsidize you(ala insurance costs) if you get flattened by a garbage truck.
As they say in the South--Bless your heart
5:02 I believe we're on the same page. My posts are 3:51, 4:15, and 4:44. I myself am self employed and am still generating some income, 1/4 of my average monthly commission checks so far.
I will minimally take a 20% pay cut over 2019 with little recourse. And for that I feel fortunate.
4.44
" you have statistically zero chance of dying while shopping"
Well there is your solution--no one will ever die while shopping.
People only die in Nursing homes.
BTW people are still dying from Corona and they are not all in Nursing homes.
Unless your saying the pandemic is totally over.
Most experts would disagree
Anonymous said...
3:45PM, anyone that calls the Coronavirus the "trump virus", well, there is no intelligent discussion to be had there. It shows a maturity level of an adolescent. I saw a poll that 60% of Democrats blame Trump more than China for the virus. Not a big fan of Trump, but quite frankly that tells me just how unhinged my former party is. China is at fault here, they lied, and for 6 days allowed international travel from Wuhan Province while shutting down domestic travel.
May 8, 2020 at 4:33 PM
I have not decided what to think of China. If the Trump Virus originated there as has been said , I still don't know the precise circumstances of that. I also don't know what to believe about the extent to which China hid the truth./ On that one, time will tell. I certainly don't give credence to the Right Wing Noise machine on this issue, and in the short term I don't think it's important to resolve this.
But whatever proves to be the case, Trump was warned about the virus and did very little. Even now, that's true. He's dead to me.
5:27 tomorrow almost 8,000 people will die in the US from causes that are not COVID-19. You do realize that from day one of the shutdown, there would never be a good time to reopen?
5.25
"I will minimally take a 20% pay cut over 2019 with little recourse. And for that I feel fortunate."
Then you are better off than most.
So peoples lives can be expended for your 20 percent?
Or a better way would be how much of a hit are you willing to take for the team(your fellow citizens)?
5.43
reminds me of a movie line
"General "Buck" Turgidson:
Mr. President, we are rapidly approaching a moment of truth both for ourselves as human beings and for the life of our nation. Now, truth is not always a pleasant thing. But it is necessary now to make a choice, to choose between two admittedly regrettable, but nevertheless *distinguishable*, postwar environments: one where you got twenty million people killed, and the other where you got a hundred and fifty million people killed.
President Merkin Muffley:
You're talking about mass murder, General, not war!
General "Buck" Turgidson:
Mr. President, I'm not saying we wouldn't get our hair mussed. But I do say no more than ten to twenty million killed, tops. Uh, depending on the breaks."
Anonymous said...
5:27 tomorrow almost 8,000 people will die in the US from causes that are not COVID-19. You do realize that from day one of the shutdown, there would never be a good time to reopen?
May 8, 2020 at 5:43 PM
I'm not 5:27, but the right day to open would be when the Trump Virus is in significant decline and we're prepared with adequate testing and contact tracing. Pretty much any other day is a bad day. At the moment we have met these criteria only very sporadically.
Wolf does not care about the people who are out of a job is an ivy league graduate and the are the ruling class--he knows more than any of you. In the long run he is hurting and killing way more people than he is helping. Don't forget he is an ivy league graduate.
5:44 You're altruism is a short term view.
Say, is he an Ivy League graduate? I mean, don't just hit at your bigotries, just come right out with it.
Wolf is a left wing radical that makes him anti america--by the way he way he was a draft dodger in the late 60's
6.15
https://www.pennlive.com/capitol-notebook/2014/10/the_sparring_over_tom_wolfs_vi.html
"Wolf received "selective service system deferments based on involvement in first the ROTC and then the Peace Corps, followed by a student deferment."
According to WTAE-TV's report , the Selective Service System said "Wolf was later classified 1-A, he was available for military service but was not called."
and
"I'd point out, not an uncommon alternative back in those days to a government-funded tour of Indochina. I'm even reliably informed it was good enough for a recent occupant of the White House.
The States governed by Democrat Governers have all mismanaged their state finances.
So it is not surprising that there is a $5 Billion dollar deficit in Pennsylvania.
Shutting down all businesses in the state, including Real Estate showing and buying is not a social gathering function and those researching for those purchases and refinances are not social gatherings also. If the Governor wanted to help people, he would
form a task force of professional business people and infectious diecease Doctors and not just rely on a pediatrician to put people out of work . She(?) does not have to worry about where her(?) next pay check is coming from, as do all the people who don't have a government or news related job. But, then again it's a Democrat regime, they were never known for intelligent decision making. It's as if Nancy Palosi was running the State.
Silence Do Good
6:26--he dodged the draft don" sugar coat it-4 years in college than he joined the peace corps a good way to dodge military service than he was 1-A but the war was over in 1973 and they were no longer drafting men into the service .So he was a draft dodger. I was not talking about the president-you must also be a left wing radical who tries to make a bad person like Wolf look good but you can't.
The majority of politicians on all levels of government have not serve in the military--some were draft dodgers--Clinton Bush-some kind of reserves-he dodged the real service and many others. Politicians for the most part are sneaks and many other things.
7.05
"-you must also be a left wing radical "
Thank you i strive to meet people's expectations.
Glad to see that you detest Comrade trump for dodging the draft.
Man, I leave her for just a while and suddenly we back in the '60s.
7:05 your welcome but you are still a left wing radical and you sound like an asshole like all left wing radicals are---Pelosi Schiff Schumer Nadler what a line up you have you really meet peoples expectations with that lineup no wonder you sound so proud. Back to our time.
From SPOTLIGHT PA:
HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday rejected a subpoena by Republican lawmakers for records related to the administration’s coronavirus waiver process, potentially sparking a constitutional showdown in the courts, but did release a list of thousands of businesses that received approvals to reopen amid the shutdown.
“This information should be sufficient to address your committee’s concerns,” Wolf wrote in a letter to Sen. Mike Regan (R., York), who signed the subpoena.
I wonder where Gov. Wolf learned such behavior? (Cue extended Republican cries of anguish.)
I am honored to be the first one to say it: This is downright draconian.
Anonymous said...
Freedom Fighter for Irresponsible Reopening here. I just want to say we know that known lefties like Pelosi are running a pizza ring out of Baltimore. If you want some extra cheese, you gotta salute Chairman Mao. In the alternative, you can stare at a high school photograph of Karl Rove. These are some very, very desperate people.
May 8, 2020 at 8:08 PM
Freedom Fighter for Irresponsible Reopening here. I think we all should inform Gov. Wolf, in no uncertain terms, that he must babysit our children. He should know that Tommy Blanchard cries easily and Emily Scott can't find her Bunny. And don't give them too many sweets.
Yours in unmitigated freedom...
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