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Granholm: Michiganders Stand To Lose In U.S. Senate Standoff

Other episodes in this series: 
IPR News Features
Date: 
June 25, 2010

By Laura Weber

In Michigan, 87,000 people will lose unemployment benefits next week, unless the U.S. Senate resolves a partisan standoff.

The number of Michiganders losing their unemployment benefits would double within a month, and balloon to more than 400,000 by the end of the year.

"That's a huge number of people, not just in Michigan, but across the country," says Governor Granholm. "That's why, in no uncertain terms, we're strongly urging the Senate Republicans to reconsider this, because it will hurt people."

Granholm's upset that not one Republican member of the U.S. Senate voted for an extension of unemployment benefits.

"It's extremely callous. "And let me just say that in addition to the unemployment benefits that are affected and the people who are affected by that, in addition to that this means for Michigan's own budget this means another $500 million dollar hole."

That budget hole is because Medicaid funds are also stalled by the stand-off. Without that money Granholm says the state would have to make cuts that were previously unthinkable.

Community Discussion Rules
See More: economy, Governor Granholm, politics, poverty, unemployment

Comments

Unemployment Tragedy

Submitted by Sheryl L Sutter (not verified) on June 25, 2010 - 5:55pm.
Well there is one thing we as unemployed can do that doesn't cost a penny. We can make sure that we exercise our right to vote and rid our government of all these arrogant, self-serving beaurocrats. You know the ones that call the unemployed backbone of America as lazy and looking for a free ride. For those assinine politicians I have this to say, I like many unemployed Americans, have returned to college to try and reinvent ourselves, which, by the way, is not easy when your in your fifties or older. Michigan took the incentive to give their citizens a chance by helping with their innovative "No Worker Left Behind" program only to have the federal government sabotaging the sucess of the program by cutting off the vary necessary funding that would not only allow them an opportunity to get off the unemployment rolls and keep a roof over their families heads and food in their bellies. Is our federal government so fat that they cannot see or understand the plight of others. Major banks fail and they get billions. The people that truly built this country ask for their paultry unemployment and we are termed as lazy and using the system. How does that work? Do you really believe that we as Americans are blaming it on each party as you all in government do...not hardly. We hold each and everyone of you that have only yours and your rich constituants interest at heart. This is not a Democrat vs Republican issue...this is an issue of doing or not doing the right thing for the people of this country. This is about remembering the people that are the heart to this country when your signing legislation to send unthinkable amounts of money to other counrties. Remember NAFTA...how's that working out for us? I can't say that I am too proud to be an American at this stage of the game. When I see how humanity has left the souls of the people we have elected into office I am ashamed.

unemployment extensions

Submitted by Deb (not verified) on June 25, 2010 - 5:15pm.
I have worked since I was 14yrs old and I am now 53 almost. My employers have paid uia benefits on the first 9,000 started at 7500 years ago. multiply that by how many workers in good times? I don't feel that I am entitled to help, however. In this state I have been looking for work for the last 18 months. I have gotten interviews, but if someone out of 30 of us comes out of that market sector, they are the first hired. Why less training time. Trying to keep positive and a head up, but I am getting the feeling that due to political positioning Washington does not give a F about the hard working folks that have lost their jobs due to no fault of their own. Given the decision of Washington I think they should send each one of us a gun with one bullet so we can die with dignity or what we might have left in human spirit. Oh cause I am single I don't qualify for help that is out their. Thanks a lot. Also a no brainer. Most folks on unemployment pay taxes on what they receive. Darn less for the government and states to work with. Less into the economy and more business go down. I guess the Bush admin when stating the halves and halve not's has come to full circle. Rich and poor cause the money makers on the hill do not give a D about the workers that put them their or are paying their paycheck. Two classes, no middle exists anymore. Sorry for venting but I am looking for a spot under a bridge for a cardboard box to live in cause I don't live high and with the governments decision I am going to poor and loosing everything.

unemployment

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on June 25, 2010 - 4:19pm.
It's Mr Reid fault we need a stand alone bill People... Stop using us as a tool to get more we need help now stop making the GOP look good

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