An amendment from state Representative Pauline Wendzel to end the $300 in extra unemployment benefits Michigan has been paying to laid off workers throughout the pandemic was approved Thursday by the state House. Wendzel tells WSJM News with Michigan reopening, it’s time for people to go back to work, and the federal pandemic benefits should end.
“Right now, 26 states have done that,” Wendzel said. “[They’re] all Republican-led states, but the first Democratic state, Louisiana just decided, I believe a couple of days ago, to also end that benefit.”
Wendzel says the governor could unilaterally end the extra benefits, but her amendment sends her a message.
“From our hospitals to our restaurants to manufacturing, everybody is so desperate for workers. They made it through a global pandemic, and now they’re going to close their doors because they can’t find people to work.”
Wendzel says representatives from across Michigan are hearing from businesses that can’t fully reopen due to a lack of staff. Her amendment now goes to the state Senate.
