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Whitmer vetoes bill to cut off extra unemployment benefit

gretchen whitmer.jpg
Posted at 5:03 PM, Jul 20, 2021
and last updated 2021-07-20 17:03:33-04

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has vetoed a Republican-sponsored bill that would have stopped a $300 weekly federal supplement that is being added to unemployed workers’ benefits during the coronavirus pandemic.

The extra payment is due to end Sept. 4 under federal law.

The GOP-controlled Legislature wanted to terminate it July 31, saying the money discourages people from rejoining the workforce.

Whitmer says the bill would have violated federal law by ending the payment without 30 days’ notice.

She also notes the legislation also would not have taken effect until 2022, by which time it would have been moot.