Assembly advances bill to up penalties for defrauding the state’s unemployment insurance fund

A bill that would increase the penalties for defrauding the state's unemployment insurance fund cleared the Assembly on a 62-35 party-line vote. Backers of the bill have argued the stricter penalties under the bill are needed to help deter individuals from intentionally committing fraud. Dems and other opponents, though, have expressed concern workers who unintentionally defrauded the system could...