Judge Temporarily Blocks Maryland From Ending Federal $300 Unemployment Checks, Programs

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan talks to reporters during a news briefing about the ongoing pandemic in front of the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Maryland, on April 17, 2020. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

A Baltimore Circuit Court judge on Saturday blocked the state from ending its participation in several pandemic-related unemployment programs, including the $300-per-week unemployment checks that Republicans say are keeping people out of work.

Maryland would have ended its participation in the programs on Saturday if not for the judge’s ruling.