MichiganRadio

Jobless Benefit Extention Push Falls Short in the State Senate LANSING, MI (MPRN) -

State Senate Democrats made a failed attempt today to force a vote on extending jobless benefits to laid-off part-time workers and unemployed people in training programs.

Governor Granholm has called for the bills, which would initially be paid for with federal stimulus funds.

State Senate Democratic Leader Mike Prusi said the Senate should act before beginning a two-week break.

"These bills have sat long enough," says Prusi, "Thousands of people are going without unemployment benefits because we refuse to act in this chamber, and I think now is the time to act before the we break for the summer, before we let these families go without the unemployment benefits that support them and support their children."

Republican Senator Jason Allen says, later on, businesses would have to pick up the additional cost of the bills.

"They call for an immediate and permanent change in Michigan's unemployment law," says Allen, "It would lead to an increase of unemployment expenses that will affect approximately 220 thousand businesses to approximately 69 million dollars a year."

Governor Granholm has called for the extended benefits. She says it would assist workers who are trying to prepare for the recovery by improving their job skills. © Copyright 2012, MPRN