LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a multitude of bills into law on Tuesday, with Michigan Republicans pushing back against particular measures they say expands Michigan’s “welfare state.”

What’s in the new law?

Senate Bill 932, sponsored by Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), extends the Family Independence Program (FIP) cash assistance program from four years to five years. It received Gov. Whitmer’s stamp of approval. “Today, I’m signing 17 bills to increase access to vital services and put money back in Michiganders’ pockets,” Whitmer said on X. “I’ll keep working with our partners in the legislature to help everyone can make it in Michigan.”

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However, Whitmer’s “make it in Michigan” mantra is debatable depending on who you ask. Senate Bill 932 received sharp criticism from House Republican Leader Matt Hall (R-Richland Township).

“After raising the income tax on every Michigan taxpayer, Democrats are expanding cash welfare and paying people not to work for up to five years,” Hall said. “Businesses are hiring all across our state, and we should be helping people get off of welfare and into good jobs.”

Michiganders “expect these programs to be temporary.”

State Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton Township) echoed Hall’s sentiments. “The people of Michigan believe in lending a hand to help their neighbors during tough times, but they also expect these programs to be temporary and aimed at encouraging independence,” she said. “Instead, what we’re seeing is a significant shift toward bigger government and longer dependence on taxpayer dollars.”

Rep. Bollin also added that the goal of assistance programs is to help people make ends meet while they look for employment, rather than rely on the state’s handouts indefinitely.

“The Democrats’ plan rewards staying on assistance longer, with no effort to close the loopholes that have already led to a 210% rise in welfare fraud from 2019 to 2022,” Bollin said referencing Michigan State Police data.

Michigan businesses are hiring.

Bollin’s colleague in the House, Rep. Andrew Beeler (R-Port Huron) said Democrats are “keeping people off their feet and out of work.” Beeler said, “Instead of helping people get back in the workforce as soon as possible, Democrats are letting recipients receive cash payments for a longer period of time. Keeping people dependent on the dollars of hard-working taxpayers undermines the mission of helping people in need.”