LANSING, Mich. - Michigan Senate Democrats this week launched a Facebook Cause page to gather support for the unemployment modernization legislation that would secure $138.9 million from federal funds to help Michigan’s unemployed workers. Senate Democrats created this Cause page to gather support, feature up-to-date information on the legislation and offer opportunities for people to share their experiences of dealing with this economic crisis.

The House passed this legislation in May but it has yet to be taken up by the Senate Republican Majority. The state’s unemployment rate continues to rise, with new numbers being released this week that show it has reached 15.2%. Senator Tupac A. Hunter (D-Detroit), a lead sponsor of the Senate version of the legislation, spoke on the Senate floor this week on the urgency for action on these bills. His statement can be viewed here: http://www.senate.mi.gov/dem/play.php?id=819.

“Michigan Unemployment Modernization” legislation will:

• Extend benefits for workers who are being retrained for new jobs and those who were laid off from part-time jobs.

• Secure $138.9 million in federal stimulus funding to support Michigan’s working families and help turn our economy around.

• Ensure taxpayer resources are being used to benefit Michigan workers.

Senate Democrats have aggressively used online outreach to share information on their work including Facebook Cause pages, a Legislative Caucus Facebook page and a Twitter page. Also recently launched is a website calling for action on the unemployment legislation. The site, www.senate.michigan.gov/dem/helpmiworkers, encourages visitors to sign a petition and contact Republican Senators to demand support for the legislation.

The Help Michigan Workers Cause page can be found at: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/317737/42426775?m=2d8eb144&t=1247754471.

The Hire Michigan First Cause page can be found at: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/235147?m=91e6b129.

The Senate Democrats’ Legislative Caucus Facebook page can be found at http://www.facebook.com/MichiganSenateDemocrats and the Twitter page can be found at http://twitter.com/MISenDems.

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