Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Head of state Employment Security Division leaving post

CARSON CITY — Cynthia Jones, administrator of the state Employment Security Division during some of Nevada’s roughest economic times, is leaving her job next month.

Jones, administrator since 2004, headed the agency as the state suffered its highest unemployment rates — more than 13 percent. It has had to borrow $736 million from the federal government to make weekly payments to those who are jobless.

“This recession was the worst experience in the program’s 76-year history, and this is only the second time Nevada has ever had to borrow to pay benefits,” Jones said.

She will be leaving her $114,109 job on Nov. 7 and become assistant director of the state Department of Administration at a similar salary.

No replacement has been named for Jones.

The division collects premiums from businesses, pays unemployment checks, and provides job placement services and training for those out of work.

Jones said she has followed the strategy of not raising the jobless tax on employers during periods of economic difficulty. Increasing the tax, she said, “can thwart recovery and harm businesses’ ability to retain and grow employment,” she said.

Earlier this month, Jones decided to leave the unemployment tax at an average of 2 percent for next year, the same as this year.

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