State Republicans want Governor Walz to end the weekly $300 supplemental unemployment insurance check related to COVID relief
The state GOP says employers are struggling to find employees, arguing the people getting the check are choosing to not search for work.
Walz says it’s an example of the invisible hand of the market at work.
"I saw a statement by someone who said, you know, this worker shortage is causing me to raise wages and benefits, and be more flexible with people," he said. "Yes, that's how the economy works when it's fair for everyone."
Walz says he feels for small business owners struggling to get back on their feet in the pandemic with a limited pool of applicants, but added trends show people are not going back to their same jobs seeking better wages.
"What we're starting to see is the realignment of folks who are not going back to the same jobs, they are looking for a little bit better wages. This is long overdue."
The federal checks are scheduled to end in September.
Walz expects an encouraging state jobs report in the next couple weeks with people re-entering the workforce.