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Contractor urges committee to preserve 26 weeks of unemployment insurance, supports phased employer contributions
Summary
Mandy Gerken of Gerken Companies told the Public Insurance and Pensions Committee that keeping 26 weeks of unemployment insurance is essential to retain seasonal construction workers and endorsed phased increases in employer contributions to stabilize the state fund.
Mandy Gerken, representing Gerken Companies, told the Public Insurance and Pensions Committee during a second hearing on "Passport 321" that preserving 26 weeks of unemployment insurance is critical for retaining seasonal construction workers and for the stability of Ohio’s construction workforce.
Gerken, who said she represents a fourth‑generation family business that produces asphalt, aggregate and ready‑mix in Napoleon, Ohio, described how seasonality affects staffing and pay. "We employ about 6 55, hard working men and women, with over 400 of them being seasonal," she said, adding that unemployment benefits provide a bridge between active seasons for those workers.
Her testimony centered on two claims: that keeping the 26‑week standard helps retain workers and that contractors are willing to contribute more to the unemployment fund if increases are phased to accommodate multi‑year public‑works bidding. "We need to contribute more to the fund and we're happy to do so," Gerken said, and asked the committee to consider a phased approach rather than immediate, large increases.
Gerken told members that most surrounding states offer 26 weeks and that a longer time horizon for changes (4, 6 or 10 years was discussed) would help contractors price long‑term bids accurately. Asked for data tying 26 weeks to workforce retention, she declined to produce statewide studies but said her firm retains "over 85%" of its seasonal workforce and that losing 26 weeks would likely reduce that retention.
Committee members pressed for details about employee contributions and implementation timing. Ranking Member Brennan asked whether employees should be required to contribute only after qualifying for benefits; Gerken said she supports employee contributions but was not positioned to resolve thresholds. Vice Chair Teska asked whether Gerken’s reported $45,000–$55,000 annual pay range for seasonal roles included unemployment benefits; Gerken said it did not.
No formal committee vote or policy action on the bill occurred during the hearing. Members thanked Gerken for testifying and the committee adjourned without taking further action.
The committee record shows this was the second hearing on the item labeled "Passport 321"; the transcript does not record a final committee decision or legislative action on the proposal itself.
