House Republican Press Release

April 17, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Hamzy: House Okays Bill Making Unemployment Compensation for Military spouses Permanent

Under Current Law, Benefit would Expire June 30^th

Spouses who leave their jobs to accompany their military spouses who are reassigned to out-of-state bases would not lose their eligibility for unemployment compensation on June 30^th, if a bill cosponsored by state Representative William A. Hamzy that passed the state House of Representatives Wednesday is enacted into law.

The proposal (House Bill 5438), which passed the House on a vote of 145 – 0, now goes to the state Senate for final legislative approval. Under current law, military spouses who voluntarily leave their jobs to accompany their husbands or wives to out-of-state bases when they receive orders to relocate were only eligible for unemployment compensation if they left their jobs between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008.

“This legislation does the right thing for military families who often depend on income from their civilian spouses to make ends meet,” said Representative Hamzy, R-78^th District. “Military salaries, especially for married enlisted personnel with children, are simply inadequate in today’s economy. Making unemployment compensation permanent for civilian spouses forced to relocate with their families to out-of-state bases will help keep families together and lessen the hardship that can come with the loss of the civilian spouse’s pay check.”

“The brave men and women in uniform who risk their lives to protect our country have enough to worry about without having to be concerned about whether they can afford to support their families,” Representative Hamzy said. “The state legislature should do whatever it can to help military families who have no control over when and where they are reassigned. Since only four spouses have taken advantage of the existing law since it was enacted during the 2007 legislative session, it seems to me that Connecticut can easily afford to make military spouses permanently eligible for this benefit.”

“I salute my colleagues in the House for giving this bill their unanimous support. It’s my hope that the state Senate will do so as well. It will assure the troops from Connecticut that the folks back home support them and appreciate the sacrifices they are making to preserve our liberties,” Representative Hamzy said.