As some state lawmakers call for an investigation into the Department of Labor and Industry for their handling of unemployment claims during the pandemic, the head of that office is defending their actions.
Secretary Jerry Oleksiak says his office ramped operations as quick as possible at the outset of the pandemic.
“We have paid over 90 percent of people that haven’t received benefits. We understand that if you’re not in that 90 percent, that doesn’t help you. That’s why we’ve more than doubled our staff and brought in outside vendors,” Oleksiak said. “That’s what has enabled us to pay out more than $26 billion in benefits.”
Oleksiak says an investigation isn’t needed, but he would cooperate if there is one.