Eastern Wayne Today

A Michigan state representative is calling for the state's Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) to respond faster to coronavirus claims -- and he’s also calling for the governor to reopen parts of the state.

State Rep. Jason Wentworth (R-Farwell) wrote in a Facebook post that he had been speaking to UIA and to people who were unemployed; many people still haven't had their claims approved or questions answered. 

“My office has received answers for less than 10 percent of the inquiries I've submitted to the UIA. This is completely unacceptable,” he wrote. 

He’s also calling for the governor to begin reopening the economy in a safe manner, following new federal standards. 

“Many jobs such as construction, lawn care, excavating, gardening, certain manufacturing and others would be able to reopen while following CDC recommendations. There are steps we can begin taking now to plan for the future and allow as many people as possible to start safely restarting their lives while restoring our individual freedoms and liberties. If we do not do this now, Michigan families will continue to suffer,” he wrote on Facebook.

He acknowledged that when the economy is restarted, it must be in a safe and responsible manner. He also expressed support for the Michigan GOP’s plan to divide the state into regions and to ease restrictions in “safer” areas.