January 27, 2021 - WASHINGTON – Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) released the following statement in response to a California State Auditor’s report finding significant issues with the Employment Development Department (EDD).

The audit recommends several concrete actions the agency should take to improve its services and increase transparency.

“This report confirms what I’ve heard from thousands of people in the Valley over the past year – the EDD is a complete mess and we need top to bottom reform. “The agency said they will resolve 1.6 million backlogged claims by tomorrow. I truly hope that is the case, but I’ll believe it when I see it. We’ve seen more happy talk from the agency than actual results so far. Their mismanagement has caused hundreds of thousands of California families to miss out on money they need to pay their bills. I will be watching like a hawk to see how the implementation of these suggested reforms goes. “I’m also hearing that as many as 1.7 million Californians may have to repay benefits they received months ago because the agency told people to stop submitting eligibility certifications. It is ridiculous that the agency that failed these folks—and couldn’t even answer their calls—is now going to be coming around demanding repayment without warning.” “What is abundantly clear from this report is that the agency failed repeatedly to do its job. There has to be institutional change and accountability for the leadership’s continued failures.”
Source: Congressman Josh Harder