Tennessee dropping Covid unemployment bonuses on July 3

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Gov. Bill Lee says the extra federal unemployment aid being offered amid the COVID-19 pandemic won’t be available in Tennessee starting July 3.

The decision by Tennessee’s Republican governor also will mean an end to the $300 weekly additional payments.

The decision puts Tennessee with several other states that are planning to stop accepting the $300 federal benefit.

Lee’s office said several other federal pandemic-times offerings will end in Tennessee as well, including eligibility for the self-employed, gig workers and part time workers.

Some prominent business groups applauded the announcement.

But Democrats complaint it would pull money out of the state economy and slow down recovery.

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