Keystone Today

A Pennsylvania representative has announced plans to introduce legislation soon that would reinstate the unemployment benefits given to individuals during the pandemic.

The recent proposal by State Rep. Austin Davis (D-Allegheny) would reinstate the federal bonuses and fund the effort with state monies, according to a Pennsylvania House of Representatives press release.

“Throughout the pandemic, PUA (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance) has been a critical lifeline for workers who are historically excluded from traditional unemployment compensation, such as gig workers, recent college graduates, contract workers and the self-employed,” Davis said in the press release. “Low-wage and minority workers are also more likely to be part of this excluded workforce and are now left with little support during the Delta variant surge, a new school year and an unemployment rate that remains well above pre-pandemic levels.”

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf previously refused to end the pandemic unemployment bonuses early as other states opted to do. The benefits expired as scheduled by the federal government in September, according to WTAE. That's when Rep. Davis came up with his proposal.

According to The Morning Call, Republican lawmakers in the state attempted to end the federal bonuses earlier this year in June. However, the efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.

“Pennsylvanians have stopped receiving help, but make no mistake, they’re still in need,” Davis said. “We have money available to reinstate this safety net for people who’ve been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, and we need to ensure they receive the help they need as they work to acquire well-paid, life-sustaining employment.”

A commentary posted by the Commonwealth Foundation – titled "Aid Pays More Than Work, Predictable Results Ensue" – discusses the issues associated with paying individuals more in aid than they would be compensated by working. A key concern is that it may de-incentivize people from joining the workforce and create a situation where employers have to "compete with unemployment".

Pennsylvania Pressroom reports that the state's unemployment rate continues to fall, but the slow recovery leaves the state above the national average. As of August, the rate was 6.4% while the national average was 5.2%.