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Unemployment protest impetus for help

Less than 20 people showed up to voice their frustrations at Governor Andy Beshear that they still haven’t received their unemployment benefits.

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The turnout wasn’t all that impressive at Tuesday’s protest at the State Capitol.

From our count, less than 20 people showed up to voice their frustrations at Governor Andy Beshear (D) that they still haven’t received their unemployment benefits.

That’s the case for more than 50,000 Kentuckians.

At Monday’s briefing, Gov. Beshear read off the numbers of claims “under investigation” and therefore being held up.

He said there were 7566 problematic claims from March still left, 27,507 from April, and another 17,619 from May.

Meanwhile, the protest was small by it was the impetus for help.

The state set up stations with Tier 3 specialists who have the power to clear up issues.

The hours coincided with the same hours for the protest…noon to 6 pm.

“Ain’t that a kionky-dink,” Dale Sagrecy of Bardstown smirked. “It’s funny when you guys (the media) get up here, we get this office open.”

Word got out and a long line of filers formed.

“I had my paperwork and everything with me in my car in case it should happen,” Katie King of Nicholasville said.

For those late-comers, state unemployment reps took their numbers with the promise that a Tier 3 specialist will call them Wednesday.

They also plan to reopen in-person help in the morning from 9 am until 6 pm.

State Rep. Joe Graviss, D-Woodford, believes more help is on the way.

“I’m very grateful to the governor for being responsive in setting this up today,” Rep. Graviss said. “I’m hearing that there’s a very good chance that he’s going to get like a traveling caravan to go around the state to different spots.”

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