Senate And Assembly At Odds Over Jobless Benefits

A short-term disagreement over unemployment benefits may stiff those grappling with long-term unemployment.

The Senate voted overwhelmingly to accept federal money and get it into the hands of those without jobs right away. But assembly Democrats wanted to keep it and several assembly Republicans agreed with them.

Bottomline, the difference in opinion means the jobless could go months without benefits, according to a story in the Journal Sentinel.

Here's the story.

Sen. Van Wanggaard hand-delivered a letter to Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald that pointed out that the provision adds $50 million to Wisconsin's estimated $1.35 billion estimated debt to the federal government.

"We are in the heat of agreement on extending benefits. People who have exhausted benefits and personal resources are at the end of their rope and need this relief," Wanggaard stated. "The only other remaining option is one that is unacceptable - not extending benefits to those in need."

Wanggaard wants Fitzgerald to schedule an immediate floor session as soon as possible so that they may provide those benefits to people in need as soon as possible.