Could Federal Unemployment Money Be Cut Off in NC?
Federal unemployment money was a blessing to many people throughout the last year. But not employers are struggling to fill open positions. Many businesses are unable to open their normal hours. You can hardly go anywhere without seeing “Now Hiring” or “Help Wanted” signs. Not everyone agrees on the “why” behind the shortage of workers but many people have brought up unemployment benefits as a reason.
Twenty-four states, including neighboring South Carolina, have announced they have or are opting out of the extra federal unemployment money. So what will North Carolina do? Well, NC House Republican leaders are currently backing a bill that would cut the extra $300 per week. The checks are set to end nationwide in early September. The proposed bill however would end them 30 days after it is passed.
Representative Jason Saine the bill’s sponsor told Raleigh new’s station WRAL that the checks are contributing to a “harnessed economy” and a slower post-pandemic recovery. He said the bill is an attempt “to get us back to a somewhat normal economy, a normal way of doing business, a normal way of existing.”
The bill was added last night to the floor for today, June 3rd’s session. The bill needs two additional votes and then it will need to get past the Senate, which has its own plan. Currently, Governor Cooper has yet to say whether or not he would oppose the bill. He has not made any indication that he plans to withdraw from the benefits program.
There are approximately 240,000 people receiving unemployment benefits in North Carolina. If the bill was to pass it’s not clear yet how many of the people would lose that support. Cooper has reinstated work search requirements so anyone still receiving benefits must be able to show they are actively looking for a job.
So do you think federal unemployment benefits in NC will be cut? Or do you think they will be around until the September 6th cut-off date?