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          Oakland Dems: Use Stimulus to Retrain Michigan Workers

Plan leverages $138M in stimulus dollars to help workers hurt by down economy

LANSING - As part of their continuing effort to help Michigan workers who are struggling in the global economic crisis, the House today passed a plan to extend unemployment benefits for workers who take advantage of retraining or vocational programs to pursue good-paying jobs available now in high-demand fields. Michigan's unemployment rate is currently 12.6 percent, the highest in the nation.

"Michigan workers who want to go out and work hard deserve every opportunity to get the training they need," said State Representative Lisa Brown (D-West Bloomfield). "With this tough economy rivaling that of the Great Depression, our hard-working residents need to know we're standing behind them. This is about supporting our workers and giving them time to rejoin the workforce."

Under the House Democrats' plan, unemployed workers who are enrolled in a vocational or skill retraining program qualify for an additional 26 weeks of unemployment benefits. These benefits will be automatically provided to workers who are in a declining industry and enter an approved training program that prepares workers for entry into a high-demand occupation. Under this program, workers will be able to complete their training and have the time they need to move back into the workforce.

"Michigan workers are the face of the nation's unemployment numbers," said State Representative Ellen Cogen Lipton (D-Huntington Woods). "The only way to get ourselves out of this hole is to train our workers for the good-paying job opportunities that a well-trained workforce will attract to Michigan. We will get through these tough times, and retraining our workers is the light at the end of the tunnel."

The stimulus dollars would cover funding for workers in retraining for at least the next two years. Without this plan, Michigan stands to lose out on more than $138 million in unemployment assistance money as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that Michigan's underemployment rate was 19.1 percent in February, according to an April 14 article in The Detroit News. This number includes both unemployed and those who are looking for a full-time job and are unable to find work.

"The unemployment rate and our current economic crisis are directly tied together," said State Representative Marie Donigan (D-Royal Oak). "The key to solving our economic woes is by getting our workers back on the job. In order to do that, we need to ensure Michigan's workforce has the tools they need to train themselves for 21st century jobs."

State Representative Tim Melton (D-Pontiac) also praised today's plan.

"Our workforce is the backbone of our state and our economy," Melton said. "It is vital that Michigan take advantage of the opportunity to extend benefits. The additional federal funding for our workers is crucial, while Michigan endures this economic malaise. We must not miss the chance to provide extended benefits to Michigan workers."
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