The Edwards administration is continuing with enhanced federal unemployment benefits for the time being.
The move comes after high-powered business groups asked the Governor to end the extra $300 payments in order to spur the state’s unemployed to look for work.
Businesses are having a tough time recruiting new workers, they say, because of enhanced payment are a disincentive to working.
According to the Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate upwards of ten business associations from contractors and homebuilders, gas and convenience stores, retailers, restaurants and hospitality sent a letter to the Governor asking him rescind the program.
An excerpt of the letter reads: "We believe this additional benefit was an important short-term solution to help individuals who were adversely impacted at the start of the pandemic, however, 13 months later, many employers are finding it near impossible to fully staff their business, which impacts the supply chain and timely delivery of goods and services."
Edwards intends to keep the payments in place, and in August will restore the requirement all able bodied unemployed people prove they are looking for work. The federal stipend program expires the next month, in September.
Southern states, such as Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina, and 17 in all have closed out their enhanced unemployment programs.
