Readers respond to last week’s Feedback Friday topic, which was:
Maryland Ending Jobless Benefits
Should Governor Hogan end the enhanced jobless benefits? Why or why not?
Here’s what you said:
We need people to get back to work. We get resumes, but no shows, no one shows up to interviews, no one calls back. We can only assume it is because Unemployment is too tempting over working. People must adjust and learn how to live even if they have children. Childcare credits and help maybe would help over unemployment benefits.
Janet Sumner, Pasadena
There are many people avoiding returning to work as long as they can receive $900.00 per week for staying home. At the same time, employers are having difficulty getting back up to full staffing levels, and are offering incentives to new hires. eliminating the supplemental payment would help solve the labor shortage problem.
Al DiCenso, Easton
I totally agree with Gov. Hogan that it's time for people to quit using Covid as a crutch and get back to work.
Carol Turner, Severna Park
Governor Hogan should end the enhanced benefits because many recipients are using that extra money to stay home longer, causing the state to delay recovery. However, there are some people who genuinely need to have someone at home for childcare or to help disabled adults. With schools ending for the year soon, these tasks can be relegated to high school students or teachers looking for extra summer income. Camps also will be open for childcare, and adult centers are opening again to help senior citizens. Our economy needs to be energized and renewed to fully get back to "normal". We need to get people back to work and businesses back to making a profit.
Victoria Johnson, Annapolis
Governor Hogan should NOT! end enhanced jobless benefits until All schools are open! Many parents do not have daycare and this year has been hard enough already! A few months is not going to hurt for him to wait. Parents and children need time to get into a routine with going back to school. He needs to change this ASAP!
Karen McElwain, Annapolis
There are plenty of jobs out there and yet businesses are having trouble filling those positions. I personally know of people who would prefer to stay home and collect $600.00 for doing nothing. Ultimately, the taxpayers are paying for these people. Enough is enough!!
Cathy D’Adamo, Annapolis
I agree with the governor. I've heard about people not actively looking for jobs, but saying they are. There are lots of jobs out there and there is no reason for people not to be working.
Jeanne Geibel
If the pandemic had never happened the people who say they have to wait until schools or daycares to open would have been in the same situation before the pandemic. Nobody wants to work anymore it seems, they are happy sitting at hope getting a check, it's time to get everyone back on track and back to working!!
Kim Wedemeyer, Pasadena
It depends upon the age, the size of the family, the skills, the need and the health of the person. Not a blanket decision. Also, in a business with hourly pay a teen should get less than head of family. My son owns movie theaters and he has many teens making same pay as adults with families.
Faith Goldstein, Annapolis
No, he should not! This is there for a reason to help people. It was a lifeline to help people get back on their feet. Many gig workers and small businesses who are trying to get back on track have had to temporarily lay off people and these people most especially gig workers need this help while businesses are trying to gear back up. We are all traumatized and to abruptly take this away from people is cruel. Cruel. One month to replace or repair the damage done from a year and a half? There is not a lack of people for jobs many people have moved on to different jobs that are safer now. Consider the small gig worker who may have worked for places for years. Hogan has done a great job during the pandemic except for this. I am so disappointed he did this directly to the people who need the help the most. Taking away peoples only life line for a few more months. Really could not help people until September? Some people still have back months of rent and electric,,,and this was barely going to help them...I am incredibly disappointed he did this. I do hope he will change his mind. People will lose their homes because of this. I hope he reconsiders.
Jacqueline Malom, Chesapeake Beach
Hogan is correct. Time to stop.
Milly Welsh, Davidsonville
The unemployment benefits (federal supplemental & state) should not stop until the kids are back in school 5 days full time.
Emily Van Oudenaren, Arnold
END THEM!!!
John Blauvelt, Arnold
Despite what many employers are saying, and the general public about people not wanting to work, that applies only to a limited few. I am highly skilled, have applied for six to ten jobs every week during COVID, I have only had one unsuccessful in person interview, two Zoom interviews, and none of them even had the professionalism to let me know that the status of my interview. All of these interviews happened before high school and college graduations. Most of the jobs are short term seasonal, part-time with a schedule that varies each week, no benefits, and thus, you cannot fit another part-time job in, because both want variable schedules. It's oversimplification to say that we don't want to work. Add over fifty into the equation, and it get even worse.
Carolyn Miller, Upper Marlboro
Unemployment benefits, What a joke. People sitting on their rears and getting paid for not working when zillions of businesses hang out help wanted signs.
Iris Robertson, Royal Oak
I am currently pregnant. I have been on a temporary leave of absence from my job due to my children doing virtual learning. I was supposed to be allowed to return to work once schools closed for the summer but, my boss told me not to return until after the baby I'm pregnant with is born. A lot of jobs don't want to take a risk on a pregnant woman during a pandemic. Plus because I'm pregnant, I have yet to be able to receive the vaccination which places me at high risk. Having these benefits to at least September would've helped me tremendously. I have no idea how my mortgage, car note, and other bills will get paid after July 3rd as the governor's decision gave us only a month to secure a job. And not just any job, a job that will cover all my bills. Working a job making $11-13 a hour is not feasible for a mother of soon to be 3.
Danielle Crowdy, Arnold
YES!!!!!! Companies are unable to attract workers because they are getting paid MORE not to work. COVID levels are down and vaccination rates are up. There is no reason people should be paid to keep staying at home, especially when there is a shortage of workers.
Nat F., Millersville
No. I don't think he should end the unemployment benefits in July. His original date to end them was in September and a lot of people on unemployment are counting on that later date so they can hopefully save some money in case they don't get a job even by that September ending date and also continue to pay some part of their necessary bills. People are still struggling! Sure, the restaurants need workers back, but not everyone is able to be a waitress, cook ar dishwasher. How about the seniors on unemployment? What a hopeless feeling to have to work in a minimum wage job!!!
Serelee Hefler, Stevensville
I believe the Governor's actions are short sighted. There are industries that are still struggling, such as events and entertainment. Many freelancers, gig workers, and solopreneurs have relied on these various programs to stay afloat while seeking any opportunity that may arise. It appears our Governor believes he is incentivizing professionals to just make things happen and/or work in service industries where they may have no experience. Makes no sense.
Felicia Clar, Annapolis
It should have been stopped 6 months ago.
David Gibson, Lothian
YES!!!! Simply put, there are MANY jobs available and receivers are benefiting off the backs of current workers. For those who are able, have some integrity and get a job. I've personally been thanking the working public lately. It is disgraceful to sit home and take from others who have to make accommodations in their life for going to work and all that entails (time, expense, logistics and some inconvenience!). Able-bodied persons are not entitled to part of my paycheck (some, but few, exclusions understood).
Michele W., Glen Burnie
No, benefits should not end until people are able to return to work without impediments (affordable daycare, schools open full time, and Covid protocols in place).
Karen Johnson, Odenton
I wish Gov Hogan would extend the Federal benefits and guidelines through Sept and possibly end of year. People are just beginning to feel safe- many with health conditions are still concerned so jobs outside their normal field with more public contact just aren't feasible. Many have been pushed out of retail due to permanent closings in state. Daycare and safe childcare options need to be fully up and running. Schools need to be fully open and safe.
The portrayal of the unemployed taking a "free ride" is grossly unfair. Let's protect our families and give the unemployed more time to get fully back to work with the most promising restoration for Marylanders to be normal again. The long-term benefits to our society and our mental health will also be great. Keep Maryland strong! Please don't withdrawal benefits without society actually, factually returning to normal.
Donna Lucas, Annapolis
Of course, most people will prefer to work, if they can find appropriate opportunities, rather than live on the dole. Hogan has done nothing to offer prospective labor the conditions they and their families need – housing, childcare, early childhood education, minimum wage floors, and the like. He simply hides behind the taboo on government spending, as if public assistance were the enemy of a healthy economy.
Philip Allen, Annapolis
I do not believe that we need to continue providing the large emergency benefits any longer because jobs are now available and people can return to work. Now, because of the large unemployment benefits, some people are not returning to work because they get paid more for not working. Many job openings are now not being filled, so we need to investigate what is really happening.
Carol Moyer, Riva
Absolutely. We need to get people back to work. Every store I visit has a Help Wanted sign in it. People need to work instead of sitting at home or collecting the extra money and working under the table.
Janice Nuscher, Annapolis
I think it's a disgrace. I emailed him too with my thoughts. Its horrendous that we've struggled so long for work this year and benefits are bring cut short. I'm in the events industry and it's been tough with so many cancellations. I didn't nearly work as much as I would have. My husband and I are disgusted with this decision for the early cut and feel saddened as hard working, tax paying Maryland residents that we were promised a certain timeframe and then it's cut short.
Suzanne Eden, Annapolis
Please don't stop the enhanced jobless benefits. People need it. I am not receiving it but many people depend on it. There are always a few people taking advantage of whatever is given but many others need it. This is wrong to take away. Many people have reasons they can't work due to Covid. They aren't getting rich on $300. They need the money for rent, food, and to live, and $300 doesn't go far. They may be high risk for Covid or have family who are, or have long term effects from Covid or many other reasons. There are plenty of people refusing to get shots. They don't have sitters or safe sitters. There jobs haven't rehired them yet. There bills never stopped & an extra $300 a month didn't keep anyone out of debt. They can't afford to take a minimum wage job with a couple kids at home after leaving a higher paying job. Many children aren't back in school yet, & haven't been vaccinated yet, many jobs haven't hired everyone back yet. We are moving forward but please don't rush it. Everyone has different situations, add mandatory job searching if you must but don't take the money away yet some people need it. Please give people a little more time until jobs are back, & children are back in school & more are vaccinated.
Lauren Long, Annapolis
Most Definitely. Many have gotten too lazy and are misusing the system. Many jobs are available. I worked 2 jobs most of my life to make ends meet.
Linda Cotter, Baltimore
I had been a ride share driver at 70 years old. I have diabetes & heart issues and have been afraid/cautious about continuing to put 10 - 15 strangers back in the car for rides plus I have two grandkids. I have my shots but still very worried about Covid and the discontinuing of benefits puts me in a scary position!
John Zlatos, Crownsville
Yes, the enhanced benefits should end. A thriving economy, with greater labor force participation, is a better solution than any government program. The additional funds may have had their place when businesses were closing, but with things opening up, it is time for Maryland to get back to work.
Daryl Hodge, Arnold
It does not make sense to end a federally-funded program that does not cost the state anything. Freelancers and others are still struggling. Small businesses are NOT on their feet yet and cannot afford to hire.
Guru Gal
Yes, I think that ending the extended unemployment benefits is a wise decision. I am the HR Manager of a local non-profit and we are struggling to recruit applicants for our positions. In fact, we set up several interviews and applicants did not show up for them. I have reached out to other partner agencies in our area and they are experiencing the same recruiting challenges that we are facing.
Laura Murphy, Annapolis
Absolutely, it is time to end the handout. People that are able to work should be contributing to the society that we all must pay in to. Otherwise the companies trying to thrive are not able to sustain their hard efforts to contribute to society. To continue paying those who are now taking advantage of the handout creates a broken link; in the economic world, in the moral world, and in the ethical world among many others.
Gayle Bremer, Severna Park
Yes, the extra benefits should be ended. Jobs are plentiful. We need to reduce the subsidy we give to people to not work. We need to enforce the requirement that those receiving unemployment benefits look for work.
Right now, some people are getting more money from unemployment benefits then they earned while working. And if they stay home, they can avoid payroll taxes, commuting costs and childcare costs. They are making a rational economic choice. But the cost to society is large and unsustainable.
For those who are truly needy and unable to work, we have numerous government programs that provide a safety net, as well as excellent charities like the Maryland Food Bank.
Bob Arias, Crownsville
Yes, Governor Hogan should lift enhanced jobless benefits.
Leigh Rand, Annapolis
NO-- ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! People are STILL STRUGGLING. I am a mostly self-employed arts teacher. My contracts are not back to pre-pandemic level and it looks like the summer is going to be even worse. Those enhanced benefits are CRUCIAL to so many families (particularly mothers) who have complicated situations and are still struggling!! Despite what some say, Things are NOT back to pre-pandemic levels. And an extra $300/week-- come on, that's not an exorbitant amount!!! But that money would help so many struggling people like myself and it's already been promised by the federal government. Along with the Enhanced payments, he is also ending the benefits for the SELF EMPLOYED. These benefits are a lifeline for many thousands of self-employed workers in the state who are still completely VULNERABLE!!! HE should be looking out for ALL Maryland workers and families. I think it's incredibly thoughtless for him to stop the federal aid that has already been allocated to Maryland. And he obviously has no compassion for all the hard-working self-employed and gig workers, and lower income families that are STILL STRUGGLING!! Is he in touch with the real world or just the upper/business classes in Maryland? He is supposed to be serving ALL of US.
Claire Cherry, Odenton
