Alabama has joined a growing list of GOP-led states that are ending participation in federal pandemic-related unemployment programs amid concerns that the benefits are leading to a shortage in people looking for work.
Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, cited an increase in job postings along with complaints from businesses saying they can’t find workers to hire for her decision to withdraw from the programs. The governor flagged the unemployment benefits boost, which was approved last March under the CARES Act before it was extended, as contributing to the labor shortage.
