O P I N I O N
THE SOAPBOX
Stand Up. Speak Up. It’s Your Turn.
Last week, in a vote of 11-9, the House Labor Committee made a decision that underscores the urgent need for reform. The rejection of a long-overdue increase in the rate paid to unemployed workers in New Hampshire is a significant setback for our state’s most vulnerable citizens.
House Bill 542, which I proudly introduced, aimed to increase the rate for the first time since 2007, providing some relief for higher wage earners in New Hampshire. In 2007 people who lost their jobs could collect a payment equal to half of their weekly earnings. Today, that replacement rate hovers around a mere 26 percent.
At that time, the schedule was capped at $41,500. Anyone making more than that would receive the same weekly amount as those with a $41,500 salary. In 2024 the average salary in New Hampshire was $62,000 and the average salary of those collecting unemployment benefits was $88,563.
Anyone who has been to the grocery store or has a mortgage payment knows that what worked in 2007 is not adequate for 2025. Unemployment benefits exist to help the workers, who are key to New Hampshire’s economic success, pay for essentials when they are between jobs.
Fueled by New Hampshire’s low unemployment rate, the Unemployment Trust Fund has grown to a robust balance of just under $400 million. My bill would have added six new steps and topped out at $52,000. New Hampshire Department of Employment Security projections found that with this modest increase in benefits, the trust fund would remain solvent even in the event of a recession similar to 2007.
It is worth noting that the average cost per employee in New Hampshire for the unemployment program is currently $85 per year. This is a modest investment for the critical support it provides to those in need.
I commend my fellow Democrats who stood firm, their heads held high, in support of the thousands of unemployed workers in our state. Their unwavering commitment to justice and equity is a testament to the values we hold dear.
However, it is deeply disappointing to see our Republican colleagues, motivated by self-interest and an ideology that dismisses the importance of government intervention, reject compelling testimony and overwhelming evidence, choosing instead to sit stone-faced as they voted no, one by one.
Their subsequent remarks, suggesting that local churches and the goodwill of the community can replace the millions of dollars needed to support thousands of workers facing uncertain futures during layoffs, were not just unrealistic but also dismissive of the real struggles faced by these workers. The notion that charitable organizations alone can shoulder the burden is not only impractical but also an abdication of our collective responsibility as a society.
By rejecting this bill, we have missed an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our unemployed citizens and to strengthen the social safety net that is essential for a just and equitable society.
As we move forward, it is crucial that we continue to advocate for policies that prioritize the well-being of all our citizens, not just the privileged few. We must remain steadfast in our efforts to enact meaningful reforms that address the needs of our most vulnerable populations and ensure that everyone in New Hampshire has the opportunity to thrive.
Rep. Mark MacKenizie represents House District 4.