Thread by @LouisianaGov

Today, I sent a letter to Louisiana’s congressional delegation asking them to consider funding the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund in the current proposal for COVID-19 relief legislation as unemployment payments expire. #lagov #lalege

I have serious concerns about the solvency of the Trust Fund and the need for federal assistance to make sure Louisiana can continue to pay out unemployment benefits. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, our Unemployment Trust Fund was the 17th strongest in the nation. #lagov #lalege

At our current trajectory, we will have to borrow from the federal government as early as September to replenish the fund to continue paying state unemployment benefits to Louisiana workers. #lagov #lalege

If the trust fund falls below a balance of $100 million, Louisiana law mandates @LouisianaWorks to impose a surtax on businesses of up to 30% on taxable payroll. This would be a last resort but without intervention, it will almost certainly be necessary. #lagov #lalege

This assistance will give our workers the bridge they need to return to work, while ensuring that Louisiana businesses are able to focus their efforts on recovering safely from the COVID-19 pandemic. #lagov #lalege