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Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has triggered ending the $300 weekly federal enhanced unemployment benefits on July 31 by signing a bill to raise the state benefit by $28 per week beginning next year.
Edwards recently signaled he was leaning toward ending the $300 weekly federal supplement, something business organizations have said is necessary to relieve a labor shortage as commerce recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Louisiana joins at least 25 other states that have or will opt out of the federal benefit early, but he is the first Democratic governor to opt out. It s set to expire Sept. 6.
By signing House Bill 183 by Democratic state Rep. Chad Brown of Plaquemine, Edwards traded the enhanced federal benefit for the permanent increase next year.