Michigan state Senate votes to end extra unemployment benefits

The Michigan state Senate has voted to end extra federal unemployment benefits that were put in place during the pandemic. 

The decision to end the $300 weekly federal unemployment benefit was voted along party lines with all Republicans and no Democrats voting for the measure, The Associated Press reported.

The benefits would end July 31, only two months before the federal government planned on ending it.

However, the measure is expected to be vetoed by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer who rejects Republican arguments that the extra benefits are incentivizing people not to find a job.

Whitmer contends the lack of child care is the reason there has been a labor shortage.

She wants the $300 benefits to continue while expanding a “workshare” program in the state, according to AP. The program would allow employers to hire new employees while employees keep the unemployment benefit.

Many Republican-led states have already ended the $300 federal unemployment benefit as they believe it is contributing to the labor shortage in the country.

However, states with a Republican-led legislature and a Democratic governor are having a more difficult time accomplishing this task.

North Carolina legislature similarly ended the unemployment benefits, while planning on giving the federal money to government subsidies for child care, but the Democratic governor in the state is also expected to veto the effort.