FILE – In this Thursday, April 15, 2021, file photo, Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey speaks during a bill signing in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
Arizona has joined a growing list of states opting out of the federal Pandemic Unemployment Program. Gov. Doug Ducey (R) announced the change in a video message on Twitter Thursday. He said starting July 10, Arizona will no longer be paying unemployed workers an additional $300 a week.
The Republican noted that while Arizona’s economy is expected to gain 325,000 jobs by next spring, businesses are still struggling to find workers. Rather than paying people not to work, Ducey said he’s incentivizing them to return to the labor market with a one-time $2,000 bonus.
“The best social program is a job.” – President Ronald Reagan
Arizona is back to work!
Effective July 10th, Arizona will no longer be paying the $300/week federal supplement to unemployed workers, and instead we will be helping Arizonans get back to work. 1/ pic.twitter.com/lNXPhTrWxm
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) May 13, 2021
Ducey also said Arizona’s efforts to eliminate barriers to work will include increasing access to childcare and expanding education opportunities for returning workers.
Source: One America News Network
