2014 MI Senate debate: on Jobs

Gary Peters: Extend jobless benefit for long-term unemployed

For weeks, Democratic US Rep. Gary Peters had already been calling for an extension of benefits that expired Dec. 28.

Then before White House-backed legislation to restore the benefits unexpectedly cleared a hurdle in the Senate on Tuesday, Republican Terri Lynn Land said she supports the bill. Her stance puts her at odds with Republicans in Congress and conservative organizations that say an extension is ineffective and wasteful.

The unemployment bill would restore benefits averaging $256 weekly to an estimated 1.3 million long-term jobless, including 86,000 in Michigan. Peters said on his Facebook page Tuesday that "extending unemployment insurance is an investment with a proven economic return, and it is the right thing to do for Michigan families."

Terri Lynn Land: Extend jobless benefit for long-term unemployed seeking work

For weeks, Democratic US Rep. Gary Peters had already been calling for an extension of benefits that expired Dec. 28. Then before White House-backed legislation to restore the benefits unexpectedly cleared a hurdle in the Senate on Tuesday, Republican Terri Lynn Land said she supports the bill.

Her stance puts her at odds with Republicans in Congress and conservative organizations that say an extension is ineffective and wasteful. "I support an extension of the federal benefits to those actively seeking gainful employment, but what we really need are pro-growth policies that create jobs so that the victims of the Obama economy can finally regain their independence and dignity with a good-paying job," Land said.