Bonnen supports end to federal unemployment additions: ‘Texas is fully open’

After June 26, Texans will no longer be able to participate in either the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Program or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, which supplemented normal unemployment benefits during the pandemic.

State Rep. Greg Bonnen (R-Friendswood) tweeted his support for the action by Gov. Greg Abbott that withdrew the state from participation in the program.

“I strongly support Gov. Abbott’s decision to end federal unemployment benefits on June 26,” Bonnen said in his tweet. “Texas is fully open for business [and] employment opportunities abound. Businesses are hiring and our state’s focus must shift to helping unemployed Texans get back to work.”

Abbott also ended the state’s participation in the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program that provided unemployment insurance to self-employed and contract workers not covered under normal unemployment benefits, according to coverage by the Texas Tribune.

“The Texas economy is booming and employers are hiring in communities throughout the state,” Abbott was quoted as saying by the Texas Tribune.

Approximately 344,000 Texans were still receiving the PUA benefit at the end of April, the Texas Tribune reported. The number represented a significant decline since the beginning of the year, when approximately 563,000 Texans were receiving the benefit.

“According to the Texas Workforce Commission, the number of job openings in Texas is almost identical to the number of Texans who are receiving unemployment benefits,” Abbott was quoted as saying by the Texas Tribune. “That assessment does not include the voluminous jobs that typically are not listed, like construction and restaurant jobs.”

A press release from Abbott’s office states that approximately 45% of jobs currently posted pay at least $15.50 per hour, and approximately 76% pay better than $11.60 per hour. Only 2% of job postings are in the range of the state’s minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.