From Alan B. Krueger this morning in the NY Times "Reforming Unemployment Benefits" :
"In addition to extending benefits, several other potential reforms to U.I. deserve attention. "
1) Make employers with worse layoff records pay more.
2) Help underfunded state programs
3) Raise tax base cap
4) Base extension on state problems with employment
5) Raise benefits in certain states
Here's my response:
“Unemployment Insurance would be a more effective stabilizer for the economy if benefits were automatically extended in a state based on the conditions on the ground.”
You might also want to target any stimulus money to such regions as well.
— Don the libertarian Democrat