Articles in the Detroit Free Press and on Huffington Post have outlined Gov. Snyder's newest attack - on the unemployed in our state. Michigan, with an umployment rate of 10.4% is second only to Nevada. He's calling it a trade-off - what do you think?
LANSING – Gov. Rick Snyder has signed a bill to continue federal unemployment benefits that otherwise would end for 35,000 Michiganders and to reduce future state-paid benefits to 20 weeks, down from 26 weeks.
Federal extended benefits of up to 20 weeks were to end April 2. The new state law temporarily changes the criteria to determine a state’s eligibility so that Michigan qualifies for additional federal unemployment funds.
That means some 35,000 Michigan recipients who had qualified for up to 20 additional weeks won’t have those benefits cut off.
But Snyder, in his announcement today, made no mention of a controversial change that will reduce maximum benefits for future unemployed residents starting next January. Republican lawmakers inserted the change in the bill, saying it would reduce the cost to businesses that must pay unemployment insurance.
“These benefits are a lifeline for many Michigan families who are struggling in this challenging economy,” Snyder said in a prepared statement. “Cutting them off so abruptly would have jeopardized the well-being of those who are trying hard to find work. Now that we have continued this safety net, we must renew our focus on improving Michigan’s economic climate.”
Democrats sharply criticized the reduction in future state benefits say Michigan will become the only state that offers less than 26 weeks of state-paid unemployment benefits.
U.S. Rep. Sander Levin, D-Royal Oak, called Snyder’s signing of the bill a “reckless measure” that will adversely affect Michigan’s future unemployed residents for years to come.
“In signing this bill, the governor has tried to distract Michiganders from the full story, seeking to portray legislation that includes a drastic and permanent cut as a ‘protection’ for the unemployed,” Levin said in a prepared statement. Chris Christoff, Detroit Free Press
So - more buyer's remorse. Our new Nerd Governor has managed to alienate a large portion of our state's population.
* After threatening to cut K-12 education by $470 per student and public universities by 15%, he's giving $$ to our Community Colleges? We're scratching our heads about that one.
* Giving big tax breaks to big businesses in the state, but cutting back on the tax breaks for two burgeoning industries that are really taking off in the state and adding diversity to our industrial base: electric car batteries and the film industry.
* Threatening to tax pensions of retirees. Hit the elderly and poor when times are tough.
* Denying the right to strike to all public employees - actually that has been an agreement for quite awhile, but the new threat charges the Unions per striking member and also results in firing of any strikers who dare to perform a "work stoppage."
* Like Walker in Wisconsin, he wants to curtail collective bargaining rights.
Oh - there will be more - be assured. It's only just begun. Are you ready for a recall?