NFIB State Director Annie Spilman released the following statement today in response to Gov. Greg Abbott‘s decision to end federal pandemic-related unemployment assistance:
“This was a difficult decision, but we believe it is the right one for Texas. Federal assistance was absolutely necessary in the early weeks of the pandemic when businesses were reducing hours and cutting jobs or closing altogether. Today, our economy is stronger, but job openings outnumber job applicants.
“NFIB’s latest Small Business Economic Trends report said a record 44% of small businesses nationwide have openings they can’t fill. That’s making it hard for businesses to meet customers’ needs and slowing the state’s economic recovery. NFIB believes that ending the supplemental federal unemployment assistance will encourage more people to return to work.”