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Kansas Unemployment Bill | Infrastructure 'Report Card'

By Steve Kraske,
Zach Wilson, Danie Alexander
Published April 20, 2021 at 9:43 PM CDT
Julie Denesha
/
KCUR
As roads across the United States continue to be unsatisfactory, Americans are wondering what the future of infrastructure will look like in our country.

The Kansas legislature unanimously passes an unemployment reform bill, and the American Society of Civil Engineers gives U.S. infrastructure a C- grade.

Segment 1, beginning at 01:00: Following widespread unemployment fraud that hit Kansas particularly hard, the legislature is taking steps to reform its system.

The bipartisan bill, currently on Governor Kelly's desk, extends jobless benefits through September and reimburses $500 million to employers who were impacted by fraudulent claims. The state is also working on replacing its 40-year-old computer network that allowed the unemployment system to be so susceptible to fraud.

Segment 2, beginning at 28:27: The American Society of Civil Engineers found a $2.59 trillion investment gap between what we are currently projected to spend and what we must spend to improve the nation’s infrastructure.

An analysis of the state of America’s infrastructure, how it can be improved, and what it will take to get there.

  • Dan McNichol, best-selling author, award-winning journalist
  • Eric Ward vice president of public programs for the Linda Hall Library

Dan McNichol will moderate Making the Grade: The Future of America’s Infrastructure at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 22nd. This is a free livestream program.

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Up To Date Kansas housekansas unemploymentunemploymentinfrastructureTalk Show
Steve Kraske
When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.
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Zach Wilson
As Up To Date’s senior producer, I construct daily conversations that give our listeners context to the issues of our time. I strive to provide a platform that holds those in power accountable, while also spotlighting the voices of Kansas City’s creatives and visionaries that may otherwise go unheard. Email me at zach@kcur.org.
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Danie Alexander
As senior producer of Up To Date, I want our listeners to hear familiar and new voices that shine light on the issues and challenges facing the myriad communities KCUR serves, and to expose our audiences to the wonderful and the creative in the Kansas City area. Just as important to me is an obligation to mentor the next generation of producers to ensure that the important conversations continue. Reach me at alexanderdk@kcur.org.
See stories by Danie Alexander