Livingston Today

State Rep. Ann Bollin today voted against a plan that will increase costs for small businesses throughout Michigan.

Bollin, R-Brighton Township, said House Bill 5827 would increase the maximum number of weeks that an individual may receive unemployment compensation from 20 to 26 weeks, even though Michigan’s unemployment rate has been under 4% for more than four months.

“Our small businesses are already facing so many challenges,” Bollin said. “Increasing their financial obligations to fund extended unemployment benefits will only exacerbate their struggles. Instead of imposing additional costs, we should be creating an environment that supports and encourages the growth and success of our local businesses.”

Bollin said the plan also disincentivizes individuals collecting unemployment from quickly finding a new job, which doesn’t make sense at a time when help-wanted signs are all over the place. Michigan had 261,000 job openings in January while reporting fewer than 200,000 active job seekers.

House Bill 5827 was approved by the House along partisan lines, advancing it to the Senate for further consideration.