Wisconsin Chambers Want Extra Pandemic Unemployment Benefit Stopped

Tuesday, May 18th, 2021 -- 10:01 AM

(WMTV) Dozens of Wisconsin chambers of commerce have banded together to urge Gov. Tony Evers and state lawmakers to stop paying the additional $300 per week in federal pandemic-related unemployment benefits.

The organizations argue pulling the benefit will encourage people to enter the workforce and curb the labor shortage its member businesses are experiencing.

Their joint letter noted the shortfall of workers is not related to the pandemic, stating that businesses were hard-pressed to find workers prior to the spread of coronavirus.

The letter contends the $300 per week additional benefit was not needed in the state at the time it was passed and means “businesses are competing against government benefits that incentivize people to stay home.”

Instead of passing along the federal benefit, the chambers ask lawmakers to use other stimulus money provided to Wisconsin to offer bonuses to workers who get new jobs, saying several other states, including Iowa, Montana, and South Carolina, have implemented similar plans.

The organizations also asked the state to reinstate a talent attractions campaign that had been developed in 2018 to lure working age people to the Badger State.

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