State Rep. Beau LaFave, of Iron Mountain, today released the following statement urging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to prioritize addressing the inconsistencies of the Unemployment Insurance Agency’s website to accommodate for the sharp increase in unemployment claims brought on by coronavirus:

“As Michigan continues to see an upsurge in COVID-19 cases, the top priority of state government should remain on protecting the health and safety of every Michigander. However, that doesn’t mean the governor should turn a blind eye to those who are left without employment as a culmination of her stay-home order.

“It’s already an emotional undertaking for one to lose their job and their means to provide for their families. It’s even more stressful when website glitches and inconsistencies make it difficult to file an unemployment claim.

“Our governor has found more time in her schedule to be a guest on Comedy Central and national talk shows than to fix a flawed system. She needs to focus on getting families the help they are counting on. The more than 300,000 Michigan residents who have spent hours patiently waiting for the Unemployment Insurance Agency’s website to load, only for it to freeze up and ask them try again later – deserve better.

“With no contingency plan in place before the coronavirus outbreak, people are being failed by a system that is supposed to be there for them in times like these. I urge the governor to take appropriate measures, shift more resources to the UIA, and swiftly deliver much-needed help to the many Michigan families that are struggling right now.”

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