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FACT BRIEF

Did Tim Michels say COVID-19 relief created a class of 'lazy people?'

By Erin Gretzinger
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YES

In the first and only gubernatorial debate for the Wisconsin 2022 election, Republican candidate Tim Michels said one of the things he would do to address worker shortages in the state is "get people off their couches."

"We created an entire class of lazy people during COVID," Michels said. 

Michels claimed pandemic-related aid such as stimulus checks, along with boosted unemployment payments, led people to not work. However, he recognized that assistance — initially $600 a week and later $300 a week — ended in September 2021. The last federal government stimulus check was sent out in March 2021. 

Wisconsin unemployment rates peaked in March 2020 when COVID-19 hit. In March 2021, unemployment in the state sat at 3.8%. In 2022, the unemployment rate has hovered around 3% for the past several months — similar to pre-pandemic unemployment rates.

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Sources
Wisconsin Public Radio Tony Evers, Tim Michels lay out differences in only debate of Wisconsin governor's race
Channel 3000 / News 3 Now WATCH: Full debate between Gov. Tony Evers, Tim Michels
USA.Gov Advance Child Tax Credit and Economic Impact Payments - Stimulus Checks
State of Wisconsin Wisconsin Labor Force Summary | Not Seasonally Adjusted
State of Wisconsin Wisconsin Unemployment Insurance
State of Wisconsin BLS Data: Wisconsin Job Gains Continue; August Unemployment Rate at 3.1%
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Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.