She is making a lot of enemies among the electorate. No one wants their water poisoned, but, they don't want to fall into bankruptcy either.
The State of Michigan cannot change the rules of the game at halftime. This is a self-inflicted wound for Whitmer.
There is such a thing as State's Rights and if a state believes it's unemployed need their benefits beyond that of the federal regulations it can take place. All of this money is not federal money either. The State of Michigan sets down rules for unemployment that is in addition to the federal rules and regs. The federal government is not in the Governor's office.
Basically, Whitmer is reverting to the Trump standard for unemployment.
President Joe Biden has expanded the federal standards for unemployment in the country during the pandemic. But, some states like Michigan is using this opportunity to shrink requirements that were originally allowed under States Rights. There should be no recertification necessary. The reasons for rejection of any claim can be reviewed by those in the unemployment agency for certification based on the new standard.
President Biden intended for an expansion of certifications and not an opportunity to redefine claims dating back to January 2020 for rejection. Whitmer’s administration are bullies in redefining state requirements for unemployment and basing decisions only in federal standards. She can’t change the rules at her convenience now that people are back to work.
February 12, 2021
By Rachel Louise Just
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (click here) released a record-setting $67.1 billion budget proposal for fiscal year 2022 on Thursday, but some are wondering if it would pull from Michigan's shrinking rainy day fund.
State Budget Director David Massaron said it wouldn't, because the proposed budget would add $175 million into the state's rainy day fund. Michigan's rainy day fund, or budget stabilization fund as the state refers to it, is its lifeline. It was emptied out to keep Michigan afloat during the 2008 recession, and the last time it was used was to pull Detroit out of bankruptcy in the mid-2010s.
“The idea of a rainy day fund or a stabilization fund is they give government the ability to continue to deliver those services as it gradually changes its operating costs to meet what the new revenue reality is,” Massaron said.
The fund was down $350 million from early 2020. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the state dipped into the rainy day fund, as Massaron explains, "to keep government operating."...
The Michigan Unemployment Agency has been playing political games with the federal monies that were supposed to go to the people. They wanted to first rack up the political idea that all is well and the Michigan Rainy Day Fund is back. Well, there is a lot wrong and a recent letter to unemployment recipients is the last straw.\
First, the state claims there is a mass number of people registering that is actually identity theft.
WRONG!
Those were Michigan residents attempting to pass along their ID after three months of unemployment, but, the computer system in Michigan was so foreign to most people they registered as thieves. Even after soliciting the state's unemployment agency via phone or internet the benefits were not returned to those previously qualifying for them.
If that wasn't enough, along comes letters making it known there are no more benefits for those attempting to rightfully receive them. Now, a new letter that wants to change ALL THE QUALIFICATIONS for Michigan Unemployment, but, this one goes a little further, in placing a new reality in front of the Michigan workers, PAY IT BACK!!!!!!
The State of Michigan unemployment agency has been seeking to keep every penny of federal monies for the state treasury by demonizing PUA. People have been forced into poverty by the state seeking help with private housing agencies to pay rent, mortgages, and utilities to keep people housed during a pandemic. As one agency supervisor said, "She is doing no one any favors, that's for sure."
This administration is victimizing every person that ever applied for unemployment during the pandemic because it is profitable for the state to do so. After the most recent letter takes hold and demands repayment the rest of the unemployment recipients will receive their letters, too.
By Paula Gardner
Nearly one-fifth of the Michigan residents (click here) who received unemployment payments during the pandemic are now learning their eligibility for jobless benefits didn’t meet federal standards.
Michigan officials will reevaluate claims filed by 690,092 people. The vast majority — 648,000 — will have to confirm their jobless status from a different set of criteria and may learn they weren’t eligible for funds they already received....
