25th Assembly District Representative Paul Tittl of Manitowoc voted in favor of legislation that will encourage unemployed individuals to return to work as businesses and employees navigate a worker shortage.
The bill would eliminate a $300 Federal weekly stipend for those unemployed in part to the COVID 19 Pandemic.
State Republicans along with state and local chambers of commerce, trade groups, and others say the Federal payment has exacerbated the worker shortage problem as many are making more while not working.
Democrats and labor experts say there are several factors fueling the worker shortage, many of which predate the pandemic.
In a news release, the local legislator says “Wisconsin’s economy is open, demand for products and services are high and many businesses can’t find enough workers to meet the demand. The enhanced benefits are no longer necessary as we have a workforce shortage and businesses have implemented many safety precautions to get Wisconsinites back to work in a safe environment.”
Tittl added, “Many employers in my district have increased wages and may even be offering sign-on bonusses. They shouldn’t be competing with the government to attract enough workers to stay open.”
Twenty-five other states have already approved ending it early.
Governor Evers has made it clear he’s likely to veto the legislation. The federal payment is set to expire regardless in Wisconsin September 6th.
