Detroit News. May 4, 2024.
Editorial: Wrong time to increase jobless benefits
Looking to the future, Michigan’s small business owners are worried about a lot of things, including inflation, tighter regulations and a dearth of talent. But near the top of the list is concern the Democratic controlled Legislature will deliver on a promise to increase unemployment benefits.
The Small Business Association of Michigan surveyed its members and found considerable anxiety over Democrats regaining their pro-labor policymaking fervor now that they have restored their House majority and are in back in full control of the Legislature.
Among the items of unfinished business is extending unemployment benefits to 26 weeks from 20 weeks and increasing the maximum weekly cash benefit to $602 from $362. They also want an annual automatic inflation adjuster.
Three-quarters of SBAM members think that’s a terrible idea, and they’re right.
Jobless benefits were extended during the COVID-19 pandemic largely with federal dollars. A study from the National Bureau of Economic Research determined the fatter unemployment checks slowed the return to work as the crisis ended. States that opted out early from the increased benefits recovered their workforces more quickly.
The lag in workers returning to their jobs helped create the labor shortages that fueled record inflation.
Michigan policymakers should be informed by that experience. This state continues to have more job openings than people willing to fill them, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Workforce participation here is at 61.9%. While Michigan is leading the nation in the expansion of workforce participation, it still ranks in the lower third of all states.
Lawmakers must avoid enacting policies that discourage people from taking a job when one is available. Nor should they pass measures that add to the cost of doing business in the state. It is employers who bear the cost of unemployment benefits.
The SBAM survey found 90% of business owners say they are experiencing higher costs this year.
“SBAM’s membership has enjoyed a relatively stable economy in the past several years and been able to staff up and plan ahead for a rainy day,” said Brian Calley, president and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan, in a statement. “The results of our latest survey show that rainy day could be coming sooner rather than later, as inflationary pressures and a lack of available labor continue to impair small business owners.”
Calley adds there is no justification for adding to jobless pay-outs.
“It’s certainly an odd time to consider increasing Michigan’s unemployment benefits, when our state’s unemployment rate remains at record lows,” he says.
Two-thirds of small business owners report having difficulty finding enough talent to keep their enterprises fully staffed. When businesses are unable to expand or even operate at full capacity, it is a drag on economic growth. It also adds to inflation pressures, since employers have to pay higher wages to attract workers. Sixty percent of the businesses said they’ve had to offer wage hikes to keep and attract employees.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has said her priority for 2024 is to grow economic opportunity in Michigan by attracting more jobs and talent.
Adding to the cost of doing business in the state works against that goal.
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Iron Mountain Daily News. May 2, 2024.
Editorial: Some ways to keep bicyclists safe on Michigan’s roadways
As warmer weather returns across the region, the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning is working to educate the public and raise awareness about the ongoing issue of bicycle-related injuries and fatalities on the state’s roadways.
May is National Bicycle Safety Month. It’s an important time of year to spread the message of safety as Michigan enters the busy spring season when more drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians will be out enjoying the outdoors.
Crash data shows an alarming rise in the number of bicyclist-related fatalities on Michigan roadways over the past three years, according to an OHSP news release. From 2020 to 2022, 103 bicyclists were killed in Michigan, an increase of 64% over the previous three-year period. Each year from 2017 to 2019, 21 people were killed in bicyclist-involved crashes across the state, for a total of 63 fatalities. From 2020 to 2022, there were 38, 29 and 36 bicyclist-involved deaths, respectively, for a total of 103 fatalities.
Katie Bower, OHSP director, said raising awareness is vital as bicyclists remain some of Michigan’s most vulnerable roadway users.
“We continue to see a rise in bicycle-involved crashes in many communities across the state,” Bower said in the release. “Traffic safety is a shared responsibility. During National Bicycle Safety Month, the OHSP and our traffic safety partners will be working to educate residents about the importance of bicycle safety and the traffic laws designed to protect bicyclists. Motorists and bicyclists can avoid crashes if they know and follow the rules of the road and watch out for each other.”
In 2022, the peak hour for bicycle-involved crashes was 4 to 4:59 p.m., and the peak hours for bicycle fatalities was 8 to 8:59 p.m. and 10 to 10:59 p.m.
To help keep everyone safe, drivers and bicyclists are encouraged to follow these safety tips:
Bicyclists should —
— Ride with traffic and obey traffic signals, signs and markings;
— Use hand signals when turning or stopping;
— When dark, a white light on the front and rear red reflector are required;
— Be visible: wear appropriate high visibility safety gear, including a helmet;
— Watch for turning traffic.
Drivers should —
— Give at least 3-feet when passing bicyclists;
— Obey traffic signals, signs and markings;
— Yield to bicyclists the same as with motorists;
— Stay alert and take extra caution at intersections, especially when making turns.
For more bicycle safety tips and information, go online to the OHSP webpage, https://www.michigan.gov/msp/divisions/ohsp.
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Mining Journal. May 3, 2024.
Editorial: Prescription drug costs out of control
State Rep. Jenn Hill was in Marquette Monday to host a town hall meeting to discuss the ever-increasing cost of prescription medications.
The meeting, held at the Peter White Public Library, saw Hill discussing the establishment of a prescription drug affordability board.
“The PDAB’s function is to lower prescription drug costs that so many folks here struggle to afford. Skyrocketing prescription drug prices force folks to have to choose to ration their medication or make choices to afford their medication, buy food or pay their utility bills,” Hill said.
It is no secret to any American who requires a prescription medication that costs are out of control, no matter which party holds power in Washington and hopes are that the proposed prescription drug affordability board could help Michigan residents more easily afford these vital medications.
One of the board’s moves would be to research and consider drug prices from neighboring states and Canada.
Similar projects have seen some success in other states around the country, including Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Washington.
The town meeting can be viewed in full on Rep. Hill’s Facebook page. Anyone interested in signing a petition to support the PDAB project can do so online at www.miaffordablerx.com.
While we live in a time where finding common ground can seem to be a nearly impossible task, one thing everyone can get behind is lowering the cost of prescription drugs and keeping our hard-earned money where it belongs: in our pockets.
END