Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the Senate on January 25, 2007

Click here to view bill details.

I would like to see unemployment benefits extended from 26 weeks to 52 weeks. It is not the fault of the unemployed that Michigan Government taxes the people and businesses to death. This liberal thinking of increase, increase, increase, benefits some, but not all residents. It is unfair to punish the worker who is not covered under some sort of union wage continuation while laid off and it is not the fault of the worker who is over 50 and is trying to yet support a family and bills (especially knowing that employers are not likely to hire a highly skilled older individual when it can hire a young person for half of what the older worker was being paid). If the State of Michigan cannot help its off-work workers, then I say it is time for a change in representation of our State, or join the thousands who are leaving the State to find work.

Unemployment should be extended indefinetly! Reason are: Judges get huge raises along with county administrators, teachers, etc, etc. You get the picture and hear about all over the news papers on people making huge money here in Michigan. But the workers gets his with high auto, life, health insurance premiums, Driver responsibility fees! Huge license plate fees, Huge property taxes. and LOW WAGES through temp services. Our prison system budget will flaten the rich in this state in the future.

to pay for these unlimited benefits? charge higher union dues? higher taxes?

The idea of extending benefits an additional 13 weeks would help. It's been in committee for almost a year now. Do really think they will get off there butts and do something about? Where's the government when you need them?

Extend the benefits now ! This should have been done by now.

With the way Michigan's economy has been over the last 2-3 years and nearly an 8% Unemployment rate, it's kinda a "No Brainer" that the Unemployment Extension's should have already been put in place. When Michigan's Economy was running at a pretty good clip, the Government loved the High Intake of revenue from over taxation of the people. But now since the Economy has taken a turn for the worst, the Government is flipping all of Michigan's workers the middle finger when they need the help - The Granholm Administration is a "Joke" and we are all "Blown away" by her Incompitence and her lack luster approval ratings. Maybe she is trying to surpass the Congress's approval rating, which is near 20% - Real good Job "Jennifer" - What's a very good thing? You'll be gone before to long - Can't wait.

Why is the State of Michigan totalling ignoring the thousands of citizens that are out of work, through no fault of their own, the extension of unemployment benefits. The State of Michigan, including the Governor, Representatives and all Government employees, all have their cushion jobs and are not concerned about the unemployed people in Michigan. The "Wonderful" Governor praises herself about adding 500 jobs, but never acknowledges the unemployed. The state that has the highest unemployment rate in the country. I myself is a professional, who has sent out over 200 resumes and had numerous interviews, only to be told "The company is no longer hiring or has closed." Where has the State of Michigan endorsed extending the unemployment benefits? No way, is the State of Michigan Governor down to the State employees are not concerned about the 360,000+ people unemployed. The Governor is a joke, should not have been re-elected, never addressing the true issues in the state.

Do you really think this is an accurate figure-- this number is brought to you by the amount of people RECEIVING UNEMPLOYMENT-- OK now lets figure out the true percentage-- QHAT ABOUT HTE FOLKS THAT HAVE RUN OUT!! Lost their homes and have to rent a freaking mobile home and work for $8.00 an hr. just to have a few dollars for Koegel hot dogs!! For the love of God these representatives of the state need to get their head out of the potholes that litter this miserable state!!!!!!

The ads in the Grand Rapids Press are only the "Blind Ads" so subscribers get a lower advertising rate. When applying, you don't even get a response! I have over 100 resumes out there for jobs I qualigy for and they are all blind ads. Took me awhile to figure this out, but when calling the GR Press, they revealed what these ads are.

The Federal Gov. pays for extensions when economy is the way it is now. Grandholm could donate her salary or lower it.

I bet they would do something to extend and increase benefits if we threatened to lay them off!!!!!

Why is the Governor and everyone else in Michigan government NOT addressing the unemployment Crisis in this so called wonderful state. What does she expect people to do when their unemployment benefits run out, go on welfare, which is not available to the average citizen in Michigan. Never has she addressed extending unemployment benefits, she could with a wave of her hand help the thousands in Michigan that the their unemployment has ran out with extending the benefits, but NO she is more interested in herself and hoping she might get a Federal Government nomination for some post by endorsing presidental canditates. SHE has made this state a joke to live in. No one in their right mind would ever live here, promote what a co-called wonderful state this is, with the highest unemployment in the country, highest foreclosures and I could go on and on.

The Governor is an idiot!! Who voted for this idiot?? There should be an IQ test before anyone is allowed into the voting booth.

The Governor is an IDIOT!! She's even endorsed Hillary, the kiss of death. Who does jenny think she is? Like we will be persuaded to vote for Hillary because she endorsed her?? Oh wait, the good people of Detroit probably will since they are idiots also.

Huh. All kidding aside. They need to extend the benefits a little and cut all taxes in half. The unemployment problem will evaporate overnight.

Does the Governor or any Michigan government offical ever read comments made by the citizens of Michigan. Of course not, Why would any government official care about comments of the citizens, let alone the taxpapers who are paying their Wonderful salaries from our taxes; let alone be concerned about the unemployment benefits being exhausted and no extension in sight. How many of us have sent out hundreds of resumes, been on interviews, only been told, "No, Thank You, we cannot hire you." No extended unemployment benefits, no money, no job, what are we to do, the extreme.

I don't know why the unemployment benefits haven't been extended yet as we are the TOP OF THE LIST as far as the unemployment percentage goes in the country !! First of all, our umemployment runs out, your frantically looking for another job and thousands of people apply for ONE OPEN POSITION, most are overqualified, like myself. In the meantime, you lose your car and ultimately face foreclosure. I wish the governer could walk a mile in our shoes, THE UNEMPLOYED !!

The reason why the Politicians in the State of Michigan are "low-balling" the "Actual" current unemployment rate, is simply because if it is shown to be higher than 8% - Extension's have to be enacted under current law written and on the books under the Michigan employment Security act - Unemployment trust fund.

The only other option we may have is to move out of state. I have been out of work since August with a small job for 2 months-they stopped paying me! I am just about out of unemployment, I'm going to lose my home for sure, I can't find a job-even at $8 per hour. If not for friends I would be homeless soon. What does the state expect us to do? At least with unemployment benefits we can put gas in our cars to look for jobs and keep our internet up so we can apply for a job because you can't apply in person anymore. I don't receive any other state benefits-maybe I should just go out and have more kids then at least I would have health insurance!

A march at the capital? UNITE and send thousands of email or letters to Washington? the media needs to follow and be a voice for us, but we need to take action! Sitting on our @!# complaining is NOT the answer. When and Were? Spring is new life which we all deserve. I say March 31st, we're not April's fools. The capital?? ARE YOU willing? I heard, that frustration is being STUCK between anger and action, ACTION is what we can do. Hey we have the time, car pool, POWER in numbers. If only, to lead for our children NOT TO BE VICTIMS.

Bus to Washington?

of concentrated leftist rhetoric. now, how are you going to pay for it?

i've two checks remaining,as a residential carpenter, im going to take a 8 to 10 dollar pay cut, you wonder why we exuast these benifits,theirs something to say when you've worked up a pay scale and then are exspected to take that kind of hit! why would i commit myself to someone for 40hrs. skilled work for labor wages!!! I SEE TWO ARGUMENTS COMING HERE -my typing/spelling skills-and the obvious,i'm complaing theirs no exstention.

guess i could of spelled checked!

2 Penny Jenny, is a Joke - Along with all the Reps of this State. I can Assure you, that come Election time - We the Voters - Will Not Forget !

sad that we as american's have to loose.our home's and can't even go look for work .becuse we can not afford to.there should be unemployment extention's so we don't also starve.

To whom it may concern: I am concerned with the rate of unemployment benefits in the state of Michigan. As the rate of inflation increases on fuel, groceries, utilities, and education, the state is not compensating enough for the unemployed rates in this state. As a resident of Michigan for the past 30 years, the state is experiencing the highest unemployment rates in years. The current unemployment benefits have been at maximum of $362 per week which is not sufficient enough taking into account the amount of inflation. Once taxes are paid, this amount of money is not sufficient. As for myself, I have worked hard and due to the decline in jobs and the decline of the automotive industry, I have been laid off. It is difficult enough that there are limited job opportunities and I feel that the unemployment rates need to be increased along with the increase in costs of the items mentioned above. This is a very serious issue in Michigan and I would appreciate you taking the time to attend to this matter and increase the amount of unemployment benefits and extended benefits program. Thank you and I look forward to hearing back from you regarding this matter.

With the way Michigan's Economy in a very fast downward spiral, do you actually think the Legislators in this State actually care? Michigan has had a 7% Unemployment rate now - going on 4 years. With a Recession proof job that the Legislators have, they seem to keep hiring - but yet with the indicators telling them all just how bad Michigans Economy REALLY is - you would think that Unemployment Extensions would be a NO BRAINER - but apparently the like seeing the people of this State go through the hardships of losing thier homes,cars and not being able to put food on the table - Michigans Economy SUCKS and so do these people we call our Legislative leaders and it makes me sick to think that these people were put into office by We the people - they have got to be the most incompetant bunch of irresponsible individuals that have ever been Elected into office. This State is far from ever re-claiming the title of manufacturing capital of the U.S - And OLE Jenny thinks that - Going Green - will just magically cure this States needs - The idea sounds promising - But what about the people ou there that helped michigan stand out before - being left out - We need these extensions !

In 10 days, if things keep on at the rate they are going... My future will be uncertain. 24 1/2 weeks have been paid thus far. And for 24 1/2 weeks, I have kept my resume updated at www.michworks.org just hoping an employer will have a need for a "SKILLED MACHINIST". Could I take a $8.00hr job at McDonalds? SURE, but to stay at the "LIVING STATUS" I am w/ my $362 UIA benefits, I would have to work 16hrs a day. I just recently enrolled for a Michigan Bridge Card, and State Assistance, and GOT IT. How does that make a 31 yr old man feel who's NEVER had to depend on anyone for the past 14 years? GOD Help US Michael J. Harrison

Jennifer wrote back to me and told me my answer was Michigan Works! hahahahahha I got the form letter explaining how easy it would be for me to find something there. I have been using that for 5 years plus any and every other way to network to find a job. I went to college, I did the right things. Now my 401 is gone, my home is gone, I am paying on tow student loans and have two children in collage. I need to buy a tent this week and find a camp ground in Florida!

no onw dose

I got laid off in Sept/2006. I started an Internet company that went nationwide. Figuring the rest of the country is still in good shape. Well I'm in to my 2nd year in business and guess what, the whole Country is in recession. I have gone through my severance pay, 401k, and now my credit cards. My son is in college and I'm trying to stay above water to get him thru school. I am slowly sinking and it hurts like hell. I have tried looking for a minimum wage job working in the early morning hours to help subsidies my business. Guess what, Burger King says I am overqualified. My condo that I bought 5 years ago and I'm trying to sell and I can not even give that away. I'm 59 yrs old divorcee who sits in his bedroom office waiting for customers to call. The only time I see the light of day is on Sunday's. I don't usually post to these forum's. But I have all these feelings inside me that I feel as though I'm going to burst. I'm just so damn mad at how we just let the politicians ruin our middle class and I'm just as guilty. Who would have known that I would be sitting here in front of my computer, writing this post and crying my eye's out.

All of the comments posted here fall on deaf ears. It is the our government's way to say "Ignore it and it will go away" and J.G. is no exception. It was posted here earlier and I DO agree, People that run out of unemployment benefits are not counted as Unemployed ( assumed they now have a job ) so this keeps the unemployment rate lower than it really is. I laugh when I see the commercials on TV that say that Michigan is the best place to start a new business and you should move your company here. Are there that many gullible business people out there that believe this? I AM and have been out of benefits for 3 months now and eating up any savings that I have left. Four for closures on my street alone and I couldn't sell my house if I wanted. Keep it or let Countrywide have it. Hmm..... I, like many that posted here am over qualified for any low paying ( McDonald's, Burger king etc. ) job that are the only ones in existence, Ask the people that work for the MESC why no extended benefits and they will say " you don't like it? Leave" Well guess what? planing it! There was a saying back in the 70's when the economy was really bad " last one to leave Michigan please turn out the lights" I'm not staying long enough to turn the lights off. So go ahead and march on the capital. Hope you can afford the gas to get there. Print this and reread the first line while your traveling there.

they should extend the umemployment benifits in michigan due to high unemployment,bad economy,high gas prices and all the home foreclosers, they need to wake up!

would you get the money for this extension? Maybe from higher taxes on the working folks? Let me know how that works out for you. The problem is that the government is involved in way too much now. Less government and less taxes would fix all our problems in very short order.

No new taxes are needed for the Extensions, take a look at the Unemployment trust fund - which has a fund balance of around 40-Billion dollars. So those that are trying to say new taxes are needed for the Ui extensions are mis-informed and most likely a Bush man - keep the people down as long as you can, at least they know where you are - moneyless and pinned at home - waiting for the foreclosure and Repo man - Isn't this State great!

"they should extend the umemployment benifits in michigan due to high unemployment," Maybe if this state was more business friendly there wouldn't be unemployment. By the way, it's only 7% and historically 5% of the people in Michigan won't work if you pick them up and drive them in every day. "bad economy," Lower taxes, improve the business climate and the economy will take care of itself. The government causes 5 problems for every 1 it tries to fix. These folks couldn't make it in the business world, that's why they are politicians. "high gas prices" The prices are high because the government won't allow drilling or refining. The lefties in the democrat party have decided that we won't increase supply so we are stuck with the prices. Economics 101 should have taught you that if you choke off supply and demand goes up the price has to follow. "and all the home foreclosers," For years and years the dems wanted the mortgage companies to make loans easier to get. When the house prices were rising they could do this and still hedge their bets because when the people that shouldn't have gotten the loans in the first place quit paying, the mortgage company could still recoup their loss in the foreclosure sale. If the government forces private companies to make bad loans you are going to have a problem. It doesn't matter in the end that you "feel good" about loaning a dead beat money for a house he can't afford. "they need to wake up!" No. We need to wake up and vote out all these socialists that have taken over the state.

I too am in the same boat as the rest of you!!! Over qualified/under qualified!! I have updated my resume on MI Works, have my resume posted on several "free" job search sites, and nothing...unless you count the endless barrage of "sell life ins with us" offers. OK, that is great but I live in MI where NO ONE has extra money for life ins. I don't even have life ins. because I had to cancel it (no extra money to pay for it). Can't afford the 3.50 a gal for gas to keep my tank full so that I can go on interviews. Which by the way, I have been hunting seriously for months now, and have only had..get this 3 interviews!!!!! I may not have a college education, but I have 20+ years experience in the fields that I am looking in. Have been told that our job market is like MI's housing market. One home/job you will have over 100 people looking/applying. How can you compete with that? We have bills to meet, obligations that HAVE to be met, and yet there will always be someone who will take less that you can AFFORD to take and will get the job. I don't understand why, when our unemployment rate is so high, that there aren't extensions being granted.....do they think that we enjoy doing nothing, that we would rather sit at home collecting unemployment benefits versus working and feeling proud of our daily accomplishments. that we are actually "living"? I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't buy anything unless I really need it, and then only if it is on sale and I then have to have coupons. I even look for coupons on line. It is any wonder why our economy is in such a state? And then we have the wonderful tax rebates coming in a month, and how many of us are actually going to go out and buy a new TV, washer, dryer, freezer? To boost our economy? I can't, I have to pay bills that I haven't been able to pay to restore what little is left of my credit rating. So much of their ideas of the money going into our lackluster economy. Thanks for letting me vent, and share my opinions. Good luck to all of you. And yes, while I should of been online looking for work, I spent 20 minutes typing this out..shame on me. Especially when I only have 2 checks left coming then my Unemployment runs out. Nice HUH?

Just got my last unemployment check. I lost my job to big company downsizing it's management staff with 20 years of service. I too have searched the internet, went to MI Works, posted resume on line, and have only had 2 job interviews in 26 weeks. Over qualified, under qualified. If I was an unemployed union worker or of an automotive industry related business who lost my job because of NAFTA, then I would automatically qualify for an extension of benefits or TRA. Where's the fairness to other industries? We are all affected by NAFTA and the automotive industry. They don't say it but if you are not fresh out of college then you won't be able to find a decent job.