Capital reopening, free rides, vaccine theft: News from around our 50 states From USA TODAY Network and wire reports
Alabama
Montgomery: Gov. Kay Ivey will end the state’s participation in federal unemployment programs geared to the pandemic, including supplements to jobless benefits and a suspension of a work-search requirement. The state will withdraw from the program June 19, the governor’s office said in a statement Monday. Applications for the pandemic-related benefits will be processed until then. The decision means the state will withdraw from programs that provided an additional $300 weekly payment in unemployment insurance; extended benefits to self-employed, gig workers and part-time workers; extended benefits for those who’ve exhausted regular benefits; and provided an additional $100 benefit to people with mixed earnings. “Among other factors, increased unemployment assistance, which was meant to be a short-term relief program during emergency
People also kept moving to the state during the pandemic.
“As businesses in particular became comfortable with remote work, Idaho became a pretty attractive location for remote working,” Adams said.
Some relocated from places with strict lockdowns to Idaho’s mostly restriction-free towns and cities.
The state also experienced one of the country’s highest COVID-19 case rates per-capita.
From March 2020 through Feb. 2021, Idaho recorded 138,823 confirmed cases of COVID-19, another 32,317 probable cases and 1,901 deaths.
State lawmakers this year used the significant increase in tax revenues to fund a $382.9 million tax cut and rebate plan, boost transportation funding and add to Idaho’s rainy day funds.
Idaho eyes sewer, water, broadband with federal rescue money
KEITH RIDLER, Associated Press
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BOISE, Idaho (AP) Idaho will receive $1.1 billion in the latest round of coronavirus relief money in two separate payments, the U.S. Treasury Department announced Monday, with state officials saying the money could be used to substantially bolster the state’s water, sewer and broadband infrastructure.
The $350 billion program is part of President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package that became law in March. Administration officials say payments could begin going out in the coming days.
In addition to the money coming to the state, Idaho’s nine largest cities will get a total of $124 million, while 190 cities with populations of typically less than 50,000 will get $108 million. Counties will get another $314 million. The distribution is based on population.
Idaho facing potential government shutdown starting in June
Keith Ridler, Associated Press
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EastIdahoNews.com file photo
BOISE (AP) Idaho lawmakers hesitant to leave the governor in charge of pandemic decisions after the legislative session are delaying their adjournment, a move that analysts say could cause a government shutdown by threatening the start date of some 200 pieces of legislation.
A measure intended to change the effective date of the legislation should be amended to avoid a potential government shutdown starting in June, a legal analysis has determined. The Idaho attorney general’s office sent the analysis Thursday to the Idaho Legislative Services Office, a nonpartisan government entity that supports state lawmakers.