High Wis. unemployment leads to funding concerns
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin's high unemployment rate is motivating state lawmakers to take emergency action to avoid a tax increase for businesses.
Two bills being considered Tuesday by the Legislature's budget committee would allow the state to get federal funds to help pay for extended unemployment insurance benefits. Without the change, the state would be liable for $40 million in supplemental benefits. That would be paid with taxes on businesses here.
Unemployment benefits normally last 26 weeks. Thirteen more weeks are allowed when unemployment reaches a certain level.
Wisconsin's unemployment rate rose to 5.8 percent in December, the highest since 1986.
The full Legislature is expected to act on the bills as soon as Wednesday.

Jan 28, 2009 at 10:55 a.m.
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You know we pay in those unemployment benefits, why is it not there? We shouldn't be running out of money unless they spent it on other things other than unemployment (such as their pay raise????)Remeber to vote in the next election and get those crackpots out of there!!
Jan 27, 2009 at 11:02 p.m.
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how do u find out if u can get extended benefits, cuz the web site hasno information and ever time u call u can never get a hold of any one to ask??
Jan 27, 2009 at 7:06 p.m.
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normally 26 weeks and 13 week extention depends on what company you work for as to how long your benefits will last some will get longer as they need it more (sarcasism)
Jan 27, 2009 at 7:03 p.m.
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I work at Hufcor and they are laying off at least 60 workers in Feb.
Jan 27, 2009 at 6:02 p.m.
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Michigan's unemployment rate was 10.6% on Monday.
Jan 27, 2009 at 1:34 p.m.
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Yeah hufcor? Hadn't heard that one either...How reliable is this source? Impeccable?
And can't we agree it's more of a depression than a recession now? Or do we have to wait until we can look back at this and say"yeah,that was definately a depression."
I think rock county qualifies-highest unemployment rate for any county in the state, as if that wasn't obvious already. California is growing closer and closer to 10% unemployment rate-Think they reported yesterday it's jumped to 9.4?9.6%? One of the( or THE?) most populated states in the nation. Woe is me!!
Jan 27, 2009 at 1:21 p.m.
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Raise the taxes for business who are already experiencing the effects of all the unemployment... Great idea! Put even more people in the unemployment line.
Jan 27, 2009 at 11:34 a.m.
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Hufcor is laying people off ? . I wasn't aware of that ?
Jan 27, 2009 at 11:33 a.m.
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With Wisconsin in the top 10 highest tax states in the nation, our lawmakers are trying to avoid raising taxes on business?? Wow!!
Jan 27, 2009 at 11:30 a.m.
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But hey lets fund a ice hockey team lose ur biggest employer in the county and let the workers fall by the wayside
Jan 27, 2009 at 11:04 a.m.
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and more people getting laid off next month from Harley Davidson, Hufcor, and any business that hasn't made a public medial announcement... it will be interesting as to what is decided today at the legislature's budget committee...
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