Maryland unemployment insurance

Assistance is coming for those affected by last week’s collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.

We’ll go On the Record to look at Maryland’s economic recovery. Are unemployment numbers improving? Are stalled unemployment benefits making their way to those who need them? Plus: the Baltimore Job Hunters Support Group offers job seekers encouragement and strategy.

At a meeting Monday, members of the state's Joint Committee on Unemployment Insurance Oversight expressed frustration that 15 months after the pandemic forced businesses to close, residents still struggle with the state's unemployment insurance program.

State lawmakers press for answers about an unemployment insurance program they say still isn’t working. USM employees rally for a living wage and hazard pay. Baltimore County’s leader will empanel a group to supervise the county’s Office of the IG. Workers at The Walters Art Museum urge their employers to recognize their union with AFSCME. And The Maryland State Fair is set to return this summer, with no mask requirements.

Despite spending $230 million on contracts to staff the unemployment benefits call center and adjudicate claims, many calls and emails from desperate Marylanders go unanswered.

A Baltimore City Circuit judge ruled Tuesday morning that the Hogan administration cannot prematurely cut off federal pandemic unemployment benefits.

Fauci says vaccine booster shots are not currently necessary. Baltimore County’s IG releases her report on a year’s worth of investigations. And to-go cocktails are legal (again) in Baltimore County.

More than 80 members of the House of Democrats wrote in a letter Friday that ending unemployment benefits before the federal funding expires in September would have disastrous effects on the state's economy.

Maryland Dems urge Governor Hogan to cease efforts to end pandemic unemployment benefits early. A judge denies bail for a Baltimore police officer accused of hiding the body of his teenaged stepson. And Dr. Leana Wen argues for vaccination requirements at schools and workplaces.

Maryland's top court has upheld a temporary restraining order requiring Gov. Larry Hogan's administration to continue issuing pandemic-related unemployment benefits until July 13.