The House of Representatives passed legislation back to the Senate Wednesday, amid strong Democratic opposition, providing for significant unemployment reform. Senate Bill 806, sponsored by Senator Jack Brandenburg (R-Harrison Township), passed the House 61-47. The Senate later concurred in the changes 26-11, sending the measure to Governor Snyder.
Under the reform, businesses are able to increase the wage base they use for figuring unemployment taxes as well as shorten the experience window from five years to three. Additionally, unemployed workers will be required to take a job after 10 weeks if the job pays at least 120 percent of their assistance amount or is equal to or greater than the area’s prevailing wage – even if the position is outside of their field of experience or skill.