Panel finds no bias in unemployment claim appeals process
A special commission formed by Gov. Paul LePage has found no evidence of bias against employers in the state’s unemployment claims appeals process, but it does say the department is understaffed.
The Portland Press Herald reported the panel’s report issued Tuesday says that understaffing of the department has, in some cases, caused delays in benefit payments and, perhaps, overpayments by employers.
The commission’s report comes in response to a high-profile dustup in which unemployment appeals hearing officers accused the governor of attempting to influence them during a meeting at the Blaine House. The governor rejected those claims and formed the special commission to review the process for resolving disputed unemployment benefit claims.
LePage said the commission’s report confirmed his feelings that the system needs reform. Democratic leaders maintained that the governor applied undue influence on unemployment appeals officers by inviting them to the Blaine House, which they said the commission’s report did not address.
The report suggested the state could improve the system by allowing some hearsay evidence by employers at the beginning of an appeal and by increasing staffing levels.
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