Audit: Oregon Employment Department struggled long before Covid pandemic

Oregon’s unemployment insurance program was struggling long before the Covid pandemic, an audit released Wednesday by the Secretary of State’s Office found.

“Antiquated” computer systems, limited phone lines and a shrunken staff caused by years of low unemployment numbers and federal underfunding left the Oregon Employment Department ill-prepared for a rapid rise in pandemic-related unemployment claims, the report said.

Read the report: The Pandemic’s Effects on Oregonians Exposed Risks and Highlighted the Need to…