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BREAKING: Gov. Tate Reeves is ending federal unemployment assistance for Mississippians.
He informed the Biden administration today that the state will opt out of $300/wk in unemployment benefits provided under the American Rescue Act. https://www.mississippifreepress.org/11971/gov-reeves-ending-federal-aid-for-unemployed-mississippians-rejecting-rescue-act-funds/
He informed the Biden administration today that the state will opt out of $300/wk in unemployment benefits provided under the American Rescue Act. https://www.mississippifreepress.org/11971/gov-reeves-ending-federal-aid-for-unemployed-mississippians-rejecting-rescue-act-funds/
Earlier today, @CalebBedillion reported on a letter MS House Speaker Gunn sent to Gov. Reeves, saying "increasingly desperate small businesspeople" claim "their businesses are at risk" due to a labor shortage. https://www.mississippifreepress.org/11971/gov-reeves-ending-federal-aid-for-unemployed-mississippians-rejecting-rescue-act-funds/
Speaker Gunn: “These businesses are no longer suffering from a lack of demand due to COVID-19. Rather, they are suffering from a labor shortage caused by unemployment benefits that exceed normal wage levels for productive work.” https://www.mississippifreepress.org/11971/gov-reeves-ending-federal-aid-for-unemployed-mississippians-rejecting-rescue-act-funds/
Mississippi House Rep. Jeramey Anderson: “To ask people to go back to work for low wages instead of receiving a ‘living wage’ is asinine. Unemployment benefits are not the problem—our failure to address low wages in our state is the real issue." https://www.mississippifreepress.org/11971/gov-reeves-ending-federal-aid-for-unemployed-mississippians-rejecting-rescue-act-funds/
Gunn’s letter didn't say how much the business owners he cited offered in wages.
Restaurants have been some of the most vocal about struggling to find employees. They can pay as little as $2.13 per hour under the federal hourly tipped minimum wage law. https://www.mississippifreepress.org/11971/gov-reeves-ending-federal-aid-for-unemployed-mississippians-rejecting-rescue-act-funds/
Restaurants have been some of the most vocal about struggling to find employees. They can pay as little as $2.13 per hour under the federal hourly tipped minimum wage law. https://www.mississippifreepress.org/11971/gov-reeves-ending-federal-aid-for-unemployed-mississippians-rejecting-rescue-act-funds/
For perspective:
Mississippi Unemployment Rate:
Feb. 2020: 5.8% [Pre-Pandemic]
April 2020: 15.7%
March 2021: 6.3%
MS Labor Force Participation Rate (% employed or looking for work):
Feb. 2020: 56.1%
April 2020: 53.3%
March 2021: 56.1% https://www.mississippifreepress.org/11971/gov-reeves-ending-federal-aid-for-unemployed-mississippians-rejecting-rescue-act-funds/
Mississippi Unemployment Rate:
Feb. 2020: 5.8% [Pre-Pandemic]
April 2020: 15.7%
March 2021: 6.3%
MS Labor Force Participation Rate (% employed or looking for work):
Feb. 2020: 56.1%
April 2020: 53.3%
March 2021: 56.1% https://www.mississippifreepress.org/11971/gov-reeves-ending-federal-aid-for-unemployed-mississippians-rejecting-rescue-act-funds/
We know what our leaders are saying about unemployment benefits, wages and an apparent labor shortage. But what are workers saying?
My @MSFreePress colleague, @NickJudin, is following up by talking to MS employees. Follow and/or share your story with him. https://twitter.com/nickjudin/status/1391841380507475971
My @MSFreePress colleague, @NickJudin, is following up by talking to MS employees. Follow and/or share your story with him. https://twitter.com/nickjudin/status/1391841380507475971
You can help us keep doing more reporting on the issues that are important to Mississippians by following @MSFreePress and giving a one-time or recurring donation to non-profit journalism at http://mfp.ms/donate . Thanks for all your support. http://mfp.ms/donate
Worth remembering: When Gov. Reeves ended lockdown last year, he did so with the advice of a "Restart MS" commission made up of 16 business leaders and executives who'd represent $760k+ in personal, corporate or PAC donations to his campaigns since 2008. https://www.mississippifreepress.org/2788/governors-restart-mississippi-appointees-gave-big-money-to-his-campaigns/
Gov. Reeves is ending these federal unemployment benefits in Mississippi—the poorest, Blackest state in the nation.
Several weeks ago, Reeves declared that "there is not systemic racism in America."
In MS, Black poverty is 3x higher than white poverty. https://www.mississippifreepress.org/11705/systemic-racism-built-mississippi-gov-reeves-says-it-doesnt-exist/
Several weeks ago, Reeves declared that "there is not systemic racism in America."
In MS, Black poverty is 3x higher than white poverty. https://www.mississippifreepress.org/11705/systemic-racism-built-mississippi-gov-reeves-says-it-doesnt-exist/
A Mississippian receiving the average state unemployment benefit of $178.11/week and the federal $300 benefit would be receiving the equivalent of $11.95/hr for a 40 hour work week.
With only avg state benefit, they'll drop to the equivalent of $4.45/hr. https://www.mississippifreepress.org/11971/gov-reeves-ending-federal-aid-for-unemployed-mississippians-rejecting-rescue-act-funds/
With only avg state benefit, they'll drop to the equivalent of $4.45/hr. https://www.mississippifreepress.org/11971/gov-reeves-ending-federal-aid-for-unemployed-mississippians-rejecting-rescue-act-funds/
