Maine Franchise Owners Association

You work hard in Maine! Together we can make Maine a better place for Business.

Click here to join the Maine Franchise Owners Association

  • Home
  • About Franchising
    • History of Franchising
    • Franchising in Maine
  • About MFOA
    • Why Join MFOA?
    • Terms of Use
  • Membership Info
    • Membership Levels
    • Sponsor Membership
    • Join Today
  • Contact Us
  • Join Today
  • Sponsor Directory

Governor Welcomes Blue Ribbon Commission Report on Unemployment System

December 11, 2013 By admin

maine emblemAUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage is pleased with the final report of The Unemployment Reform Blue Ribbon Commission, which was delivered this week. An Executive Order signed by the Governor in May established the Commission and tasked it with reviewing various complaints and concerns raised by Maine citizens about the consistency and objectivity of the unemployment insurance system.

On Monday, Dec. 9, the commission’s co-chairs, former Chief Justice of the Maine Supreme Court Daniel Wathen and Hon. George M. Jabar, II, Commissioner for Kennebec County and practicing attorney in Waterville, met with the Governor and Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette to review their findings and recommendations.

“I am pleased with the thoroughness and seriousness with which the Blue Ribbon Commission undertook their review of Maine’s Unemployment System,” said Governor LePage. “It confirmed several of my concerns surrounding payments to people who are later found ineligible to receive benefits, problems associated with delayed receipt of benefits, lack of effective communication necessary to standardize decision-making, and inconsistent application of evidence standards relating to business records. These are serious flaws in the system.”

Commission chairs Hon. George M. Jabar, II and Justice Daniel Wathen provided unanimous recommendations identifying ways in which the unemployment system may be fixed. Both reflected on the bipartisan Commission’s review of the system, which proved to be complex and in need of improvements.

“Investigating the unemployment system was a huge undertaking and the Commission worked collaboratively and diligently to provide an accurate analysis in a timely manner. Additionally, the Department of Labor was cooperative and helpful throughout the process,” said Jabar. “We examined the entire system from top to bottom, from initial claims to final appeals, and what we found was eye-opening.”

“All commission members agreed with the findings of this report. We found inconsistencies that hurt both employees and employers,” Wathen said. “However, there is an opportunity to address these issues in a meaningful way that will improve the system to make it more equitable for everyone.”

Commissioner Paquette also welcomed the Commission’s findings. “This report echoes many of my concerns. The Department of Labor has already begun work on several initiatives recommended in the report,” she noted. “We are currently identifying the best means of implementing several recommendations, including staffing needs, improved communication and consistency issues. In addition, we are exploring possible legislation to clarify misconduct, as several other states have done recently.”

“Employers and employees need to have confidence in the unemployment system,” emphasized Governor LePage. “Delay, inconsistent and reversed decisions, and inefficient systems hurt everyone and hurt our business climate. By improving this system we are making changes that will benefit all Mainers and save money for both taxpayers and employers.”

In addition to the co-chairs, the Commission members included David Walck, franchise owner of several Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants; Shawn Anderson, chief operating officer of Cary Medical Center in Caribou; Christine Hastedt, public policy director for Maine Equal Justice Partners; and Kristin Aiello, managing attorney for the Disability Rights Center of Maine. The Commission’s membership was deliberately balanced to include equal representation of both employer and employee interests.

Read the full report here

Other Related Articles:

Blue Ribbon Commission Investigates Unemployment Claims in Maine

Filed Under: Featured, Franchising in Maine, Government Relations, Maine Department of Labor, Unemployment Compensation Tagged With: business development, economic development, economic impact, economy, employment, Expansion, franchise job creation, Government Relations, job creation, Maine Franchise Owner, unemployment

Search Maine Franchise Owners Website

Recent Posts

  • FTC Commissioner Chopra Talks Franchise Issues on CNBC September 25, 2020
  • Schakowsky, Scanlon, Jayapal Send Letter to FTC September 25, 2020
  • Senator Cortez Masto (NV) Sends Letter to FTC Concerning Covid-19 Issues May 1, 2020
  • Keith Miller Testifies in Oregon, House Interim Committee On Business and Labor December 1, 2019
  • 2019 Dickey’s BBQ Update October 2, 2019
  • Senator Cortez Masto Introduces SBA Franchise Loan Transparency Act July 31, 2019
More from our Newsroom

Twitter Feed @MaineFOA

Maine Franchise Owners Follow

Representing Maine Franchise Owners

MaineFOA
mainefoa Maine Franchise Owners @mainefoa ·
1 May 2020

Senator Cortez Masto (NV) Sends Letter to FTC Concerning Covid-19 Issues http://mainefranchiseowners.org/senator-cortez-masto-nv-sends-letter-to-ftc-concerning-covid-19-issues/

Reply on Twitter 1256085100032212992 Retweet on Twitter 1256085100032212992 1 Like on Twitter 1256085100032212992 1 Twitter 1256085100032212992
Retweet on Twitter Maine Franchise Owners Retweeted
fairfranchising Fair Franchising Initiative @fairfranchising ·
21 Mar 2020

Hotel Small Business owner's first priority is their Millions of Great employees and their families. Small Business Hotel Owners want to help the federal government in efforts to fight Covid-19 @SpeakerPelosi @senatemajldr @SenSchumer

Reply on Twitter 1241422600317939726 Retweet on Twitter 1241422600317939726 5 Like on Twitter 1241422600317939726 5 Twitter 1241422600317939726
mainefoa Maine Franchise Owners @mainefoa ·
1 Mar 2020

Our Government Protects All Consumers… Except Franchisees! - American Association of Franchisees & Dealers https://www.aafd.org/our-government-protects-all-consumers-except-franchisees/

Reply on Twitter 1233996937524723717 Retweet on Twitter 1233996937524723717 Like on Twitter 1233996937524723717 1 Twitter 1233996937524723717
mainefoa Maine Franchise Owners @mainefoa ·
1 Mar 2020

Registration is now open for 2020 CFA Registration is now open for 2020 CFA Day! Join us in DC on May 20 for an important day on the Hill. http://www.magnetmail.net/actions/email_mobile_web_version.cfm?recipient_id=743713135&message_id=18213463&user_id=NFA_&jobid=47068265

Reply on Twitter 1233994456967204866 Retweet on Twitter 1233994456967204866 Like on Twitter 1233994456967204866 1 Twitter 1233994456967204866
mainefoa Maine Franchise Owners @mainefoa ·
1 Mar 2020

This is a perfect example of the type of legislation needed in Maine to protect local franchise owners.

Keith R Miller @FranchiseeAdvoc

Thank you Rep. Chris Mattos and the 9 bipartisan additional sponsors for introducing Vermont H.890, a comprehensive fair franchising bill. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/keith-miller-a42a5853_draft-bill-template-activity-6638858502699831296-4bNC

Reply on Twitter 1233993694178447361 Retweet on Twitter 1233993694178447361 2 Like on Twitter 1233993694178447361 2 Twitter 1233993694178447361
Load More

Franchise Links of Interest

Franchise News: Blue MauMau

Maine Small Business Association

Maine Offices of SCORE

American Association of Franchisees & Dealers

Coalition of Franchisee Associations

Franchisee Advocacy Consulting

New England Franchise Association

Unhappy Franchisee

© · Maine Franchise Owners Association · 415 Congress Street, Suite #202, Portland, ME 01401 · 207-274-2046 | Mobile Membership Site: MediaRight Technologies