N.Y. Labor Law § 501: Public policy of state

§ 501. Public policy of state. As a guide to the interpretation and

application of this article, the public policy of this state is declared

to be as follows: Economic insecurity due to unemployment is a serious

menace to the health, welfare, and morale of the people of this state.

Involuntary unemployment is therefore a subject of general interest and

concern which requires appropriate action by the legislature to prevent

its spread and to lighten its burden, which now so often falls with

crushing force upon the unemployed worker and his family. After

searching examination of the effects of widespread unemployment within

the state, the joint legislative committee on unemployment appointed

pursuant to a joint resolution adopted April ninth, nineteen hundred

thirty-one, reported to the legislature that "the problem of

unemployment can better be met by the so-called compulsory unemployment

insurance plan than it is now handled by the barren actualities of poor

relief assistance backed by compulsory contribution through taxation.

Once the facts are apprehended this conclusion is precipitated with the

certainty of a chemical reaction. " Taking into account the report of

its own committee, together with facts tending to support it which are

matters of common knowledge, the legislature therefore declares that in

its considered judgment the public good and the well-being of the wage

earners of this state require the enactment of this measure for the

compulsory setting aside of financial reserves for the benefit of

persons unemployed through no fault of their own.