 the cost of unemployment benefits to mi do you ever wonder who pays for the unemployment benefit that is distributed to the unemployed most of us probably don rsquo t have any idea we just take it for granted the truth is that it comes from the state of michigan rsquo s from businesses that contribute to that fund additionally because of michigan rsquo s high unemployment rate we have had to borrow money from the federal government to make the payments to the benefit recipients currently the state owes the federal government 310000000000 for money they have given to recipients to pay for the benefit because of the high unemployment rate businesses are having to pay higher unemployment insurance fees and they are scheduled to go even higher as a result businesses won rsquo t hire if they do and then they have to lay off employees it will be even more of a burden so they make do with the employees they have to address the problem michigan lawmakers are considering a senate bill that would authorize the state to issue bonds to repay the 31 billion to be repaid by an assessment on businesses over a period of several years the proposal has the backing governor snyder administration for michigan there is no quick fix for an article outlining the issues the problems and what potential solutions are available click on the following story link  http wwwlansingstatejournalcom article 20111125 news01111250321 michiganemployersfacehigherjoblesstax odyssey tab topnews text frontpage 