On February 23, 2021, NC House Republican Chuck Edwards of Henderson County introduced NC House Bill 128. The bill would use funds from a federal unemployment supplement in order to further PAY people on unemployment a $1,500 "bonus" to get a job. Beneficially, the proposal would cut off benefits for people who turn down jobs or skip job interviews. It would also roll the state back to pre-pandemic unemployment requirements that include looking for a job while receiving weekly benefits.

The plan is preliminary and, among other things, would require federal approval to use federal supplements to pay the bonuses. The bonuses those on unemployment would receive would be tiered under the new House Bill 128: $1,500 for people who move off the unemployment rolls in the first 30 days and $800 for people who get a job within 30-60 days. It's unclear whether or not the bonus applies only to full-time positions or whether part-time positions would qualify. There is also no stipulation that recipients will have to be employed for a specified amount of time prior to receiving the "bonus."

So not only do those already on unemployment receive money for not working, they will be bribed $1,500 to get a job. What about those of us that have put our lives on the line the entire time of the pandemic? Those that work the front lines, exhausted, putting in hundreds of hours of overtime? Why not give these bonuses to them? Instead, their hard earned tax dollars will go to those who sat at home not doing anything in an effort to bribe them back to work. 

Instead unemployment receivers should be given a deadline in which to have a job or lose their benefits. With that being said, it should be expected that some might find difficulty with the mass number of people who should be returning to work. They should be able to petition to have their deadline extended as long as they show due diligence and good faith in attempting to find a job. I'm not talking about a measly 3 job searches a week. This should include a multitude of job searches, applications, interview attendence, job fairs, etc. This is another area this money would be better spent. Instead of bribing people to get a job without restrictions, why not put some of this money toward mock interviews, resume building workshops, buying interview clothes for those who have none, etc. 

Sign the petition to have this bill Vetoed by Gov. Cooper. Call your county representatives.