Posted on 01/19/2017 5:05:40 AM PST by MichCapCon
The number of people receiving unemployment checks in Michigan reached at least a 30-year low this past October.
In the week of Oct. 8, 2016, there were 39,395 people receiving unemployment insurance. That’s the lowest number since 1987, the earliest year for which online records are available. By comparison, during the Great Recession, 186,801 people in Michigan received an unemployment check during the week of Oct. 10, 2009. The highest number of people receiving unemployment benefits since 1987, however, occurred the week of Jan. 24, 2009, at 363,212.
“Just confirmation that the economy of the state is doing very well,” said University of Michigan economist Don Grimes in an email. “Our two biggest economic problems going forward are going to be 1) a shortage of potential workers for firms to hire, and 2) an even bigger shortage of better educated and trained young workers.”
Wendy Block, director of health policy and human resources with the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, said there was reason to celebrate the drop in people receiving unemployment benefits.
“Not too long ago, Michigan’s unemployment rate remained stubbornly high and economic recovery was a distant dream,” Block said. “Today, Michigan boasts one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country and our job market is on solid footing and improving, if not exceeding expectations. In fact, many Michigan job providers are reporting difficulty finding qualified and skilled workers.”
Public Act 14 of 2011 reduced from 26 weeks to 20 weeks the amount of time an unemployed person can collect benefits. That change took effect in 2012.
“In the past couple of years Michigan has had the lowest number of individuals receiving Unemployment Insurance since the late 1990s, despite the fact that there are considerably more workers looking for work now than at that time,” said Gilda Z. Jacobs, CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy, in an email. “In 2011, the Legislature cut the maximum length of time workers may receive UI while they look for work from 26 weeks to 20 weeks. Despite our improving economy, many areas of the state continue to struggle and long-term unemployment remains a reality. Michigan should restore the 26-week maximum in order to make the UI system respond more effectively to those in need who are still actively looking for employment.”
Historically, unemployment rises at the end of the year. As of Dec. 24, 2016, there were 68,071 people receiving unemployment benefits in Michigan. By comparison, 104,387 people received unemployment benefits as of Dec. 28, 2013.
Any news on the amount of people receiving SSI permanent disability checks?
That was my first thought too.
How many people left Michigan to find a job elswhere? Heard in the thousands!
People stop getting a check at 20 weeks yet they are still unemployed.
Under the leadership of Snyder, a Republican! Welcome relief from Democrat former governor, Jennifer Grandholm who was an Unmitigated Disaster for Michigan for 8 years. Funny how democrat disasters seem to run for 8 years. Coincidence? Birds of a feather.
All these tens of millions unemployed people are dumped on Trump now. But they aren't drawing unemployment because that ran out years ago and families have been forced to relocate! What a great economy!
But it isn't like Trump doesn't know, he accepted the burden in the accepting of the problem as one of his issues. But you can expect the reporting of the problem to begin very soon now that the propagandists will be expected to make every metric anew.
This is interesting. We just concluded a 28 year experiment with liberalism by both parties.
It’s over, and the canary has regained consciousness.
Sounds like passage of Right to Work is paying off!
It could be that there term ran out on unemployment and they are no longer getting a check.
Interesting metric. What’s the untold rest of the story? Jennifer Grantheft (before Snyder) WAS horrible. This is a bad example of a “republican” controlled state. Among other things...
http://usdebtclock.org/state-debt-clocks/state-of-michigan-debt-clock.html
16.29 (has come down from a high in the 17% range)
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/snyder/Michigans_comeback_by_the_numbers_548748_7.pdf
Some cited accomplishments are more of citizen Trump’s doing.
http://www.michigan.gov/snyder/0,4668,7-277-74857_78766-—,00.html
And a very, very weak response to Snyder’s very recent state-of-the-state by the useless talking points ‘rats...
Right-to-work and Constitutional carry have been notable (both opposed by the ‘rats)
Long, long way to go in Michigan (roads, jobs, taxes, fees, regulations, etc., etc.)
HOORAY Michigan voters in the November election (quite a pleasant surprise).
Yes, they are statistically not counted as unemployed and looking.
If Michigan reduced their unemployment check availability to 10 weeks, unemployment would be even lower.
Celebrate! /s
Staffing is hard upnorth where we live though wages are on the low side. A new industry coming to Grayling will bring many jobs this year.
Turnout voting upnorth was unprecedented. Hunters and gun owners who had not bothered to vote for ten or more years.
Exactly. 3 of my family members gave up even looking for work about 10 to 12 years ago. All 3 figured out a way to go on disability with some pretend lillness. It sickens me. I’ve told them so.
Thanks. I did not know that.
Coupled with the lower turnout/loss of enthusiasm in Wayne county (Detroit)
Unemployment benefits ran out
Useless article unless number of Mi. residents who rolled off the unemployment rolls when benefits exhausted are presented.
Thank you all for putting it in the correct perspective.
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