VT Edition: Unemployment Insurance Status

Vermont’s unemployment rate went up by 0.5% in December, to 6.9%, and last week the state requested federal funds to keep the unemployment insurance program running. Without the $58 million federal loan, the state’s unemployment fund would dry up in February. VPR’s Steve Zind talks about the immediate concerns about the unemployment insurance system, and potential long-term changes that could lead it back to solvency. His guests are Labor Commissioner Patricia Moulton-Powden and Rep. Warren Kitzmiller, chair of the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee.