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Cuts To Unemployment Benefits Getting Reaction

LANSING (WWJ) - Governor Rick Snyder is promising to sign the new unemployment benefits bill approved by the state legislature.  In the short-term, the bill will allow Michigan's unemployed to continue receiving extended federal unemployment benefits,  but people applying for unemployment next year will be limited to 20 weeks.

"I will sign it, because it extends the benefits for people in need today, for future periods there are some changes, but the issue right now is that we have people suffering in our state and it would be good to extend the benefits , along to with doing some good reforms for the longer term," says Snyder.

WWJ's Pat Sweeting is getting reaction to the change from the unemployed. People who lose their jobs in early 2012 will see their unemployment benefits shrink.

Mike of Detroit spoke to WWJ outside of Michigan Works Career Center in Southfield, "People got to eat, so what happens at that point because they can't find a job, what are you going to do?" says Mike who has been out of work for a year.

"It will contribute to a higher crime rate, you know, I'm talking about, a man is going to feed his family, you know, a man is going to take care of his family," says another Mike who spoke with WWJ, saying that criminal activity may be the only answer.

Gayle Hanes, employment services coordinator at the Michigan Works Center, reports there is a ray of hope for those looking for work.

"You are still seeing people finding better jobs in the medical and tech fields," says Hanes.

"The jobs are improving a little bit here, we are definitely seeing some improvements in our numbers, we are definitely seeing people get jobs." Hanes says.

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