Mario Marroquin is reporting for the Poughkeepsie Journal Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said this week he wants to reform New York's unemployment insurance law. Cuomo is pushing changes that would make it easier for part-time workers to qualify for more benefits while reducing employers' contribution to the system, at the same time. As part of his $193 billion budget proposal, Cuomo included legislation that would expand unemployment insurance eligibility for those who are able to secure part-time work. The measure would take advantage of improved technology to track work by the hour instead of the day, a move the governor's office claims will eliminate a disincentive for the unemployed to seek part-time work. Existing unemployment insurance law reduces New Yorkers' weekly benefits by 25 percent for each day a person works regardless of hours worked. The new system aims to avoid penalizing part-time workers by tracking hours worked, allowing someone to work a few hours without getting penalized for a full day. If approved by the Legislature, New Yorkers working up to seven days per week but less than 30 hours total and earning less than $504 in gross pay will be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. The Department of Labor will immediately implement an emergency regulation that will apply the new part-time system this month, which will allow New York residents to file claims with part-time work after January 18. If approved by the Legislature as part of the budget, the change would become permanent. Read more in the Poughkeepsie Journal.