Senate Democrats Stand Up for Michigan’s Unemployed Workers, Hold Republicans Accountable for Continued Attacks on Unemployment Benefits

LANSING, Mich., Dec. 1 -- The Michigan Senate Democrats issued the following news release:

Senate Democrats stood in strong opposition today to the passage of Senate Bill 806, legislation pushed by Republicans that tinkers with the state's Unemployment Insurance system to make it harder for Michigan's unemployed to get and keep their benefits. This bill comes on the heels of earlier legislation passed by the Republican-led Legislature and signed by Governor Snyder that reduces Michigan's unemployment benefits by six weeks.

"It is fundamentally wrong to be kicking hard-working folks off of unemployment insurance while there is a major shortage of jobs in Michigan," Senator Bert Johnson (D - Detroit) said. "If the economy was booming, unemployment was low, and "Help Wanted" signs were abundant in our communities, that would be another story. In the real world, though, that's not the case."

Prior to the party-line passage of this bill, Senate Democrats asked the Secretary of the Senate to read the entire language of the bill to remind Republicans of the harm they were about to do to Michigan's unemployed workers. While reading all legislation in full is a major tenet of the Tea Party and other conservative Republicans, Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville was irked by the move and bullied Senate Democrats over the motion, even threatening to fire Senate Democratic staff in retaliation.

"Senate Republicans are suddenly opposed to having important legislation read in full, even bullying our Caucus and threatening to cut our staff in retaliation," said Senator Gretchen Whitmer (D - East Lansing). "But they shouldn't really be upset about having the bill read, but rather what it does--continuing to attack Michigan's unemployed workers and treating them as the scapegoat of our economic woes rather than the solution to them."

"We should be helping our unemployed workers find jobs and be able to provide for their families while they look for work," said Senate Democratic Floor Leader Tupac A. Hunter (D-Detroit). "Our unemployed workers are struggling enough without being further punished for being unable to find work. Senate Republicans should be offering proactive solutions to create jobs and rejuvenate our economy, not kicking displaced workers while their down."

Senate Bill 806 makes a number of additional exceptions to who is eligible for unemployment benefits in Michigan and other revisions favorable to employers, bogging displaced workers down with additional bureaucracy as they simply try to make ends meet. This is just the Senate Republicans' latest attack on the unemployed in Michigan. In March, Senate Republicans passed HB 4408 that made Michigan eligible for a one-time federal Unemployment Insurance extension, but in the process, also permanently reduced the number of Michigan-paid unemployment benefits from 26 weeks to 20.

"It is disappointing to see Senate Republicans continue to make life harder for the unemployed," said Senator Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D - Taylor). "As unemployment rates continue to hover well above the national average, reducing benefits and creating further barriers to obtaining them is not the answer."

In addition to opposing SB 806 outright, Senate Democrats offered several amendments that sought to improve the bill and alleviate its adverse impact on Michigan's unemployed workers. Amendments were introduced to: restore the number of state-sponsored weeks of unemployment benefits to 26; link the maximum Unemployment Insurance benefit rates to the rate of inflation; raise the maximum weekly unemployment benefits by $10 per week; increase amount of unemployment benefits per child or dependent from $6 to $20; and reduce the requirement that a displaced worker take a job at 70% of their previous wage (commensurate with their previous earnings) to 120% of unemployment benefits, which works out to $22,588.80 per year for all workers regardless of previous experience or salary.

"Michigan residents who receive unemployment are faced with one of the greatest challenges in their life. To go on unemployment means you're at your last resort, and the system is designed to provide a helping hand through a difficult time," said Senator Morris Hood III (D - Detroit). "Further restricting access to unemployment benefits pulls the rug out from underneath Michigan workers at a time when their depending on this important safety net more than ever."

"The Republicans have once again demonstrated that they have no compassion for those who are out of work in Michigan," said Senator Glenn S. Anderson (D - Westland). "Instead of offering a helping hand during this difficult time, they are giving out lumps of coal. I can only hope that their focus shifts to actual job creation after the New Year."

"It's apparent that the Republicans are as committed to the unemployed as Kim Kardashian was to marriage," said Senator Coleman Young II (D - Detroit).

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