Watch CBS News

Welfare Bill Passes In Michigan Legislature

LANSING (WWJ/AP) - Residents involved thousands of Michigan welfare cases could lose benefits under a stricter, four-year lifetime limit that has received final approval in the Michigan legislature.

"On October 1st, some 12,000 welfare families that are now getting benefits will stop getting them at all. And, then, after four years, everyone else is supposedly off. Supposedly they will find a job in the interim," said WWJ Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick.

The Republican-led House passed the legislation with 73-34 votes Wednesday mostly along party lines. The measures will go to Governor Rick Snyder.

The welfare limit already has been approved as part of the state budget that kicks in Oct. 1. Lawmakers plan to put the cap in a separate state statute to help implement the budget plan. The state's current four-year limit on welfare benefits would expire Sept. 30 unless the Legislature revises or extends the limitations.

The revised welfare limits have fewer exemptions than the four-year limit now in state law.

Meantime, the Republican-led Senate has approved a proposal that would require many public employees with local governments and schools to pay 20-percent of the cost of their health insurance coverage. The measure now goes to the Republican-led House. (More on this, here).

Gov. Snyder is expected to sign both the bills.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.