Governor Questions Frequency of Unemployment Abuse

The Speaker of the state Senate has been calling for unemployment recipients to show they’re actually looking for work. The governor sees the same abuse of the system, though he’s not sure it calls for massive changes.

Speaker Ron Ramsey says some people without jobs are making the $275 a week a lifestyle instead of a short-term solution. Responding to Ramsey’s calls for upping the scrutiny on unemployed, Governor Bill Haslam says there is some abuse.

“I’ve heard employer after employer say, ‘you won’t believe how many people will come in and say I just came now because I’m near the end of my benefits.’ Now is that five percent of the unemployed people, 50 percent? I don’t know. But are there some? Sure.”

Haslam says he’s not sure if there are enough to justify a change in the state’s unemployment system.

Right now, the requirements to get an unemployment check in Tennessee do not include showing proof of a job search.