Assemblymember Buttenschon says top issue facing Utica area inability to enroll for unemployment assistance By Luke Perry
Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon (D, District 119) said the most challenging issue for Utica area residents is “the unemployment system that is overloaded.” Buttenschon told Talk of the Town (WUTQ in Utica) that her office has received more calls about this than any other issue.
New York State is receiving an average of 50,000 applications a day. The benefits may be implemented retroactively, but “in the interim individuals still need to be able to survive,” Buttenschon said.
Perimeters for unemployment benefits are changing daily, including who is eligible and for how much. Buttenschon’s office is utilizing social media to help inform constituents.
Wait times can be long for those trying to seek assistance with unemployment officials by phone, but Buttenschon said the state continues to hire more people to help address this. Buttenschon referred people to nyhealth.gov for the most current information.
Some utility companies, such as National Grid, have begun to defer payments on bills. Many constituents Buttenschon has spoken with are requesting a deferment on taxes.
Federal income tax payments are postponed to July. “At this point,” Buttenschon said, “we have to have a conversation with local leaders in regards to property taxes.”
Photo from Doug Kerr/flickr
Another concern is funding uncertainty facing school districts. Buttenschon believes the state needs to do a better job providing more predictability so districts can more effectively plan for remainder of this school year and beyond. If districts had a better sense in January or February they would be expected to transition on-line, they could have devoted more resources to distance learning.
Buttenschon wants school districts to have greater local discretion with incoming federal assistance, rather than having that managed by the state. In addition, the governor’s ability to cut education budgets over the coming budget year is a “major problem,” which Buttenschon finds unacceptable.
Buttenschon said that local capital projects passed in the recent state budget. Several were deemed essential, which is good for the area, but “this will remain fluid at all times.”
Luke Perry (@PolSciLukePerry) is Professor of Government at Utica College
