In our recent study on the cost of doing business in Massachusetts, we found that Massachusetts’ UI costs were significantly higher than many of our competitor states — New Hampshire is 72% lower, New York (!!) is 49% lower, North Carolina is 27% lower, and Texas is 59% lower.
Yesterday’s hearing (sub. reg.) at the State House appeared to have focussed on efforts to make unemployment benefits marginally more difficult to access.
Pioneer will have a policy brief later this month, analyzing the issue. We’ll examine the issue of benefits eligibility, but also take a long look at the $300m in cross-subsidization that occurs under the current system.
Who is subsidizing whom, you ask? We’ll never tell.
