The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has launched a campaign addressing issues with the unemployment insurance (UI) system. This effort began with radio and digital advertisements targeting the perceived failings of the system and urging for reforms.
The campaign asserts that “since Beacon Hill broke the unemployment system…Beacon Hill should fix it.” The NFIB is advocating for comprehensive changes to eligibility and benefits, emphasizing the utilization of Rainy Day funds to address the $2.1 billion owed to the federal government, an amount attributed to what the NFIB terms as the “state’s colossal error.”
The NFIB calls on its members to engage with lawmakers and express the need for adjustments to the current UI system. They encourage members to visit the website protectmassachusettssmallbusiness.org and use the “take action” feature to communicate these concerns to elected officials. Business owners are also prompted to disseminate the message among peers to bolster the campaign’s impact.
The campaign highlights the financial burden already shouldered by small businesses, which includes repaying $2.7 billion due to pandemic-related layoffs and now facing an additional $2.1 billion because of what has been described as a “massive error” by the state.
As the NFIB states, “Enough is enough… it’s time Beacon Hill finally take action on long overdue unemployment insurance reforms.”
