Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said Thursday morning that the state will opt out of providing additional federal unemployment benefits set up to help people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The last week people will receive the extra $300 checks in their bank accounts is June 26.
Georgia unemployment leaders have said the federal benefits have led to a labor crisis across the state.
They say one of the contributing factors is that federal unemployment benefits are so good, many people would rather stay home than find a job.
“Because workers aren’t coming back into these jobs, we had companies tell us they are turning down orders, they’re even looking at shutting down operations,” said Chris Clark, president and CEO of the Georgia Chamber.
It’s unclear if the federal subsidy money will be redirected. In an op-ed letter signed by 14 agencies on Monday, Clark suggested Kemp redirect the federal unemployment benefits, using the extra $300 a month for new hires to get a signing bonus or to pay for job training.
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