Wisconsin will soon be able to use federal stimulus money to expand unemployment benefits.
The Joint Finance Committee gave its approval Tuesday to a bill expanding who is eligible for unemployment benefits, allowing Wisconsin to claim over $89 million in federal stimulus money.
JFC co-chair Mark Pocan says the bill is aimed at helping our friends and neighbors who are out of work. He says the additional benefits will help take care of them while they try to find a new job.
State Representative Robin Vos (R-Racine) expressed concerns about a provision that allows workers who quit their job and move to another city to still claim unemployment benefits. He says the move could increase unemployment rates businesses will pay to cover the benefit.
The measure still passed 16-0. Vos said he was only voting for it because the federal government "is holding a gun to our head" to approve the additional benefits, so Wisconsin can access the additional federal money.
The full Legislature is expected to approve the measure on Wednesday.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 1:06)
