LANSING, Mich. (Jan. 29, 2025) — Sen. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.) has issued the following statement in response to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s recent signing of Senate Bills 962, 975, and 981:
“For far too long, our state’s unemployment system has been riddled with inefficiencies that prevent residents from accessing the critical benefits they need when they need them,” said Sen. Cavanagh. “That’s why I’m proud to have championed this new law that makes commonsense updates to Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA), streamlining processes to benefit both workers and employers. I look forward to continuing to deliver more relief for Michigan workers and their families.
On Dec. 5, 2024, the Michigan Senate voted to pass Senate Bills 962, 975, and 981, which were sponsored, respectively, by Sens. John Cherry (D-Flint), Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), and Cavanagh. Together, the bill package makes various technical changes to UIA’s system to streamline the waiver process, improve the efficiency of administrative law hearings, and support survivors of domestic violence by protecting Michiganders’ ability to qualify for unemployment benefits if they leave their job due to domestic assault. The bill package was signed into law by Gov. Whitmer on Jan. 17, 2025.