East Michigan News

LANSING, MI— State Sen. Jim Runestad has taken action by sending a letter to Michigan Auditor General Doug Ringler, requesting an audit of the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA). Runestad, representing White Lake, voiced concerns from the business community regarding the approval of benefits for claimants who may not be entitled to them.

"The UIA has been mismanaged for years," Runestad expressed, highlighting the need for a comprehensive review of the agency's practices. He acknowledged a previous audit that uncovered fraudulent claims amounting to millions of dollars but emphasized that further investigation is necessary to address procedural shortcomings within the UIA.

Senator Runestad emphasized the implications of the UIA's actions on business owners, stating, “When the UIA doesn’t do its job and doesn’t properly vet claimants, the costs of their mistakes fall back on business owners.” He stressed the importance of rectifying these issues to ensure a fair and efficient system for all stakeholders.

In his call for the audit, Sen. Runestad underscored the necessity of addressing the challenges posed by the UIA, stating, “Dealing with our ineffectual UIA is yet another cost of doing business in Michigan, and the auditor general needs to investigate these issues so we can then fix them and ensure the UIA works for everyone.”

The request submitted to the auditor general outlines specific areas for investigation to improve the accountability and effectiveness of the UIA. Senator Jim Runestad encouraged stakeholders to stay informed about state government matters and invited them to subscribe to his email list for updates.

Senator Jim Runestad's proactive approach to addressing concerns surrounding the UIA reflects his commitment to advocating for transparency and accountability within Michigan's administrative agencies.