MADISON, WI (WTAQ) — Republicans in the State Assembly are taking aim at the increased federal unemployment benefit, arguing that it’s disincentivizing Wisconsinites from returning to work.
Majority Leader Jim Steineke of Kaukauna appeared on WTAQ’s ‘The Morning News with Matt and Earl’, saying he hopes Governor Tony Evers will get rid of the extra $300 people are currently receiving on unemployment per week.
“This boost in unemployment benefits was about the emergency, but we’re now back to nearly pre-pandemic levels of unemployment. The emergency is over,” Steineke said. “We’ve got to make sure that people recognize that this isn’t a lifestyle. This isn’t going to last forever. We need them to get back to work.”
It’s not clear if Governor Tony Evers would sign it. Some Democrats have signaled their opposition to the measure introduced this week by Republicans to end the benefit.
“It just uncovers what I think the Democrats main goal is,” Steineke said. “It’s to get more and more people accustomed to getting checks from the government.”
Democrats argued in a statement this week that the state should tackle expanding BadgerCare and childcare programs before getting rid of the benefit.
Several other states have either gotten rid of the expanded benefit or are planning to do so.
