Applications for U.S. state unemployment insurance jumped to a four-week high, indicating the labor market is suffering fresh setbacks even as the coronavirus pandemic shows signs of ebbing.
A state House bill introduced Wednesday would extend eligibility until Dec. 31 for a key federal unemployment insurance program.
The Republican-sponsored House Bill 107, sponsored by Rep. Julia Howard, R-Davie, makes two changes to state COVID-19 regulations.
A companion Senate Bill 114 was introduced by Sen. Chuck Edwards, R-Buncombe.
The first would affect the federal pandemic emergency unemployment compensation program, which had expired on Dec. 31, 2020.
The second would keep employers contribution base rate at 1.9% for the state s unemployment tax for 2021. A rate increase is scheduled for this year.
Employers pay a tax into the state s UI system between 0.06% and 5.76%. Employers can pay a higher rate based on their history of job cuts and layoffs.
AUGUSTA For the week ending February 13, the Maine Department of Labor recorded about 2,000 initial claims filed for state unemployment insurance, and 450 initial claims filed for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), according to a news.
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