MADISON – Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) – the combined state chamber and manufacturer’s association – applauded lawmakers for passing Assembly Bill 336 on Wednesday. The legislation would end Wisconsin’s participation in pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits and help address Wisconsin’s workforce shortage.
Specifically, the legislation would put an end to the $300-per-week federal enhancement that unemployment claimants can currently receive. Roughly half the states in the country have taken action to repeal the enhanced benefits
For weeks, WMC has led a coalition of local chambers and other business associations to urge lawmakers to end Wisconsin’s participation in the pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits. Claimants can receive $300-per-week on top of the state’s max of $370 in unemployment benefits – the equivalent of nearly $17-per-hour.
Thanks to the expanded benefits, not only are businesses competing with each other for talent, they are being forced to compete with the government.
“The legislature’s action today was a crucial step to getting Wisconsin’s economy back on track,” said WMC President & CEO Kurt Bauer. “We urge Gov. Evers to quickly sign this bill into law. Without action, countless businesses are at risk of going under due to the lack of available workers.”
If no action is taken, the enhanced federal benefits will continue throughout the summer.
