MADISON, WI – Today the Wisconsin State Assembly was in session to debate a number of proposals regarding the state’s unemployment system.
A story about the “Get Rich Scheme” in Wisconsin:
Your neighbor has been waking up at dawn for the past 20 years, proud of his or her manufacturing job they started after graduating high school. A hard worker — 8 to 12 hour days to provide for their partner and children – a routine that had become second nature. But today, when your neighbor arrived at work, the boss gave devastating news: your neighbor was being laid off.
Their world came crashing down. All those early mornings and long days suddenly seemed for nothing. Health insurance, childcare, his or her mortgage, and other expenses weighed heavily on their mind. Feeling lost, wondering how to move forward.
Representative Tod Ohnstad (D-Kenosha) had the following statement:
“This is a reality for many Wisconsinites who lose their job through no fault of their own and struggle to find a job; however, Republicans referred to this reality as being lazy, unmotivated, and being a fraud. I’m completely baffled by the proposals Republicans passed today attacking our state’s unemployment system, which has been a crucial lifeline for many of our friends and neighbors.”
“We could have spent the day discussing ways to alleviate some of the pain of the reality above like addressing accessible and affordable childcare, paid family and medical leave, and affordable housing; however, Republicans made the pain worse by undermining our state’s unemployment system and the Department of Workforce Development.”
“It’s absolutely ludicrous to think our neighbors are sitting at home getting rich off a $370/week check from the state’s unemployment fund. Let’s get back to reality.”
