I’m Gabrielle Canon, here to take you through the news for the rest of the afternoon.

Alabama will soon cease advancing all added Covid-unemployment benefits, including the federally funded $300 boost, Governor Kay Ivey said today, citing concerns over worker shortages, the Associated Press reports.

“As Alabama’s economy continues its recovery, we are hearing from more and more business owners and employers that it is increasingly difficult to find workers to fill available jobs, even though job openings are abundant,” Ivey said in a statement.

Jazzy Belle 🖤🌹
(@ShaunaReporter)

In the statement, the governor’s office listed Alabama’s unemployment rate (“3.8%, the lowest in the Southeast and significantly lower than the national unemployment rate.”)

May 10, 2021

Starting June 19, Alabama will stop participating in pandemic programs provided by the federal government, including emergency unemployment extensions that enabled gig workers, part-time employees, and people who have been collecting unemployment longer than what’s typically offered to receive benefits.

Mississippi governor Tate Reeves also announced that his state would opt out of federal programs on June 12 – as early as the law allows.

Tate Reeves
(@tatereeves)

It has become clear to me that we cannot have a full economic recovery until we get the thousands of available jobs in our state filled. pic.twitter.com/PHGU27c9Mj

May 10, 2021

South Carolina, Montana, and Arkansas have also announced a departure from the programs.

Biden pushed back against claims that the Covid relief bill passed in March was to blame for lower-than-expected jobs numbers, and said he would work with states to ensure rules are tightened.

“If you’re receiving unemployment benefits and you’re offered a suitable job, you can’t refuse that job and just keep getting unemployment benefits,” Biden said.

Meanwhile, California is making moves to offer residents even more aid.

Governor Gavin Newsom, who is facing a recall election, announced the biggest economic recovery plan in the state’s history – a $100bn plan – that includes $600 in direct payments to two-thirds of California’s roughly 40 million residents.

Originally Appeared On: https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/may/10/biden-economy-infrastructure-bill-covid-vaccines-latest-news-live-updates