McMaster's federal jobless benefits cutoff condemned by Jesse Jackson, Upstate coalition

GREENVILLE — In the wake of Gov. Henry McMaster’s decision to reject expanded federal unemployment benefits months before they expire, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, state Sen. Karl Allen and a collection of Upstate faith leaders and activists have condemned the move.

Allen, D-Greenville, said during a news conference May 10 that opting out of the funding that bolsters unemployment payments is an attack on South Carolina’s most vulnerable as the pandemic continues.

“Why would you turn away unemployment benefits during a jobs crisis?” he said.

The federal funding program, which adds $300 to weekly unemployment checks, will end in the state June 30, according to a statement from McMaster’s office. The American Rescue Plan had extended the program until Sept. 6.

South Carolina, Montana and Arkansas are the only three states that have turned down the continued assistance.

Read more: https://www.postandcourier.com/greenville/politics/mcmasters-federal-jobless-benefits-cutoff-condemned-by-jesse-jackson-upstate-coalition/article_c1f8683e-b1b9-11eb-8996-8768cd54a7ac.html