Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday signed six commonsense bills that will expand Michigan’s unemployment benefits for the first time since 2011, providing a lifeline for Michiganders who are in between jobs.
Additional legislation signed also supports Michigan workers and businesses by improving guidelines for apprenticeship training programs and granting greater flexibility to Michigan’s telephone companies.
“Today, I am proud to sign commonsense legislation that extends unemployment benefits, improves job training for apprentices, and more,” said Whitmer. “With winter just around corner, Michiganders are still juggling high costs and a competitive job market. “These bills will put money back in people's pockets so they can keep a roof over their heads, pay the bills, get a good-paying job, and put food on the table. I’ll work with anyone to make sure Michigan is the first place folks think of to live, work, and raise their families.”
Senate Bill 40, sponsored by state Senator Paul Wojno (D-Warren), will provide a lifeline to individuals who are in between jobs by extending how long Michiganders can receive unemployment benefits from 20 to 26 weeks.
This bill reverses Snyder-Era cuts to unemployment benefits that have established Michigan as one of only 12 states that only offers unemployment benefits less than 26 weeks.
The bill also implements a new maximum weekly benefit, increasing, over a period of years, the check amount to $614 from $362, putting $252 back in Michiganders’ pockets and marking the first time this increase has been made since 2003.
This update will bring relief to potentially 88,335 Michiganders, Whitmer said.
“Protecting Michigan workers is very imperative to me and that is why the passage of this legislation is so important,” said state Senator Paul Wojno (D-Warren). “This legislation will not only increase the dollar amount of benefits but reverse the harmful six week cut of workers benefits implemented in 2011.”
Senate Bill 740, sponsored by state Senator Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton), supports plumbing apprenticeship and job training programs for Michiganders by requiring journey and master plumbers to supervise no more than two apprentices at a time.
This legislation will help ensure apprentices are given proper supervision and mentorship throughout the training process, supporting quality education for Michiganders and expanding our state’s workforce.
“Plumbers are a vital skilled trade, this legislation will require a reasonable ratio for apprentice plumbers so they can learn and advance in their profession,” Camilleri said. “I’m proud to have advocated for this commonsense change that will safeguard our workers and job sites across Michigan.”
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