Rep. Shane Hernandez – chair of the Michigan House Appropriations Committee – today called on Gov. Whitmer to focus more attention on fixing an unemployment benefits filing system that is failing Michigan residents in their time of need.

“Hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents have lost their jobs in recent weeks due to the governor’s stay-at-home orders and other issues related to the coronavirus crisis. Many have struggled to get the help they need because of dropped calls, website problems and long waits with the state’s Unemployment Insurance Agency,” said Hernandez, of Port Huron. “People need to buy groceries, pay bills and support their families – but problems with the system are holding up the help they’re counting on. It must be fixed, and it must be fixed as soon as possible.”

Hernandez said he is “ready and willing” to partner with the governor to fix the system.

“Originally the governor said she didn’t want the Legislature to meet next week, but this problem with the unemployment filing system is one of many examples why legislative oversight and involvement is so critical,” Hernandez said. “Michigan families and taxpayers expect their elected officials to work together – especially in times of crisis. I stand ready and willing to be in Lansing and do whatever it takes to get this system up and running efficiently as soon as possible.”