LANSING, MI (WKZO-AM/FM, Jan. 19, 2023) – A long-await reform of Michigan unemployment compensation may be coming.
On Thursday, the Unemployment Insurance Agency announced the creation of a UIA Modernization Workgroup, which would advise the agency on “significant” improvements for improving its service to workers and employers. This workgroup would consist of organized labor, business interest, and advocates of the jobless.
“This partnership with organizations representing workers and employers reinforces the UIA’s commitment to ensure Michiganders who lose their jobs through no fault of their own will have easy, efficient, and equitable access to the jobless benefits they deserve,” UIA Director Dale said in a department statement. “Feedback from a coalition of partners uniquely experienced in the nuances and subtleties of the Michigan unemployment program is critical to instituting meaningful reform at the UIA.”
Earlier this month, the state Auditor General’s office issued a 126-page audit of the UIA, claiming in part that it may have improperly granted $1.7 billion in overpayment waivers but didn’t consider such requests for claims totaling nearly $218 million which did meet agency criteria. The agency countered that the audit ignored the context and reforms it made, and blamed lawmakers for urging the agency to rush money during the height of the COVID 19 outbreak.
State Senate Minority Whip Roger Victory (R-Hudsonville) says that a complete overhaul of the UIA is long overdue.
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