Representative Dallman Votes to End $300 Unemployment Bonus Payments

Madison, WI --- Representative Alex Dallman voted in favor of legislation that will encourage unemployed individuals to return back to work as businesses and employees navigate a worker shortage. This bill ends Wisconsin’s participation in federal unemployment benefit programs which discourage people to return to work by paying them an extra $300 to sit on the sidelines.

Representative Dallman has made the following statements:

“Wisconsin has gotten back on its feet and it is a shame that many businesses can no longer find enough workers who want to work. The demand for products is high and the demand for workers is even higher. At a time when we need all hands on deck in the workforce, federal enhancements are only keeping people on the sidelines. It’s time to get all able-bodied adults back to work.”

“Many business owners have increased compensation and are even offering sign-on bonuses.” Representative Dallman said. “These business owners should not have to compete with the government to attract enough workers to stay open.”

This bill ends Wisconsin’s presence in the following federal programs:

  • Pandemic unemployment assistance (PUA) program
  • Pandemic Emergency Unemployment compensation (PEUC) program
  • Federal pandemic unemployment compensation (FPUC) program
  • Mixed earner unemployment compensation (MEUC) program

 

The federal supplement provides an additional $300 per week on top of state assistance. There are currently 25 other states who have opted out of the federal enhancers, which are set to expire on September 6, 2021. This piece of legislation also requires that individuals who file for Unemployment Insurance, are actively searching for a job to be eligible to collect benefits.

According to an SR Poll Results report, 71% of voters agree with ending the enhanced federal unemployment benefits. This includes 67% of independents and 59% of democrats. If this legislation is signed by Governor Evers, the Wisconsin unemployment compensation program will return to pre-pandemic operations.

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