April 29, 2021 State Rep. David LaGrand described what he sees as a disincentive to work under Michigan's current unemployment benefits system. LaGrand, a Democrat from Grand Rapids, explained at a hearing that the system’s benefits include $362 a week through the state and $300 a week through the federal government. (All unemployed worker benefits are paid for by assessments on employers, according to the National Federation of Independent Business.) LaGrand estimated that current weekly unemployment benefits (which are higher than normal due to boosted federal payments) equate to about $15-an-hour. He said at an April 27 state House committee meeting that if he sees a help wanted sign at a business offering $11 an hour, “What I’m really being asked to do is work for a $4-an-hour pay cut.”