The Student News Site of Appalachian State University

The Appalachian

The Student News Site of Appalachian State University

The Appalachian

The Student News Site of Appalachian State University

The Appalachian

Newsletter Signup

Get our news delivered straight to your inbox every week.

* indicates required

Repaying state debt shouldn’t cost those struggling

Repaying state debt shouldn’t cost those struggling

Since July 1, 2013, out-of-work North Carolinians have been unable to receive federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation after Gov. Pat McCrory signed into law N.C. House Bill 4, which reduced the weekly allowance allotted to those who receive unemployment aid from the state, according to the News and Record.

In addition, this law capped the number of weeks the long-term unemployed are able to benefit. Federal law prevents states from receiving national benefits if state benefits are changed.

Typically, federal emergency relief continues after a worker’s state benefits have run out, but Republican legislators passed the state reductions in order to quicken the repayment of $2.5 million borrowed from the federal government during the recession in 2008.

It is important that the state works to balance the budget and repay the federal government what it owes, but there must be a way to make sure that struggling citizens are able to make ends meet in the meantime.
U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan held a press conference with N.C. Sen. Josh Stein and Rep. Rosa Gill on Jan. 6. During the conference, she asked legislators to help her pass her provision to reinstate North Carolina’s eligibility for Emergency Unemployment Compensation, according to insurancenews.net.

The state is struggling as a whole, but many citizens are struggling on an individual basis, too.

McCrory has not commented on the issue. When he passed the bill changing unemployment benefits in the state, North Carolina was removed from the national Emergency Relief Program. If North Carolina is again included in the federal program, McCrory’s changes will essentially be reversed.

While I understand the importance of reducing the state deficit, legislators have to figure out a way to repay the federal government while at the same time assisting out-of-work North Carolinians in order for the state to thrive.

It is possible McCrory is concerned that extended benefits will prevent the unemployed from trying to find jobs. Bill Rowe of the N.C. Justice Center told the News and Record that he doubts the aid will be abused, because the emergency relief money is not enough to get by.

There has to some other part of the budget that can be tapped to reduce the deficit. We cannot take from those of us struggling in order to repay our state debt.

Badenchini, a freshman journalism major from Apex, is an opinion writer.

 

Leave a Comment
Donate to The Appalachian
$1201
$5000
Contributed
Our Goal

We hope you appreciate this article! Before you move on, our student staff wanted to ask if you would consider supporting The Appalachian's award-winning journalism. We are celebrating our 90th anniversary of The Appalachian in 2024!

We receive funding from the university, which helps us to compensate our students for the work they do for The Appalachian. However, the bulk of our operational expenses — from printing and website hosting to training and entering our work into competitions — is dependent upon advertising revenue and donations. We cannot exist without the financial and educational support of our fellow departments on campus, our local and regional businesses, and donations of money and time from alumni, parents, subscribers and friends.

Our journalism is produced to serve the public interest, both on campus and within the community. From anywhere in the world, readers can access our paywall-free journalism, through our website, through our email newsletter, and through our social media channels. Our supporters help to keep us editorially independent, user-friendly, and accessible to everyone.

If you can, please consider supporting us with a financial gift from $10. We appreciate your consideration and support of student journalism at Appalachian State University. If you prefer to make a tax-deductible donation, or if you would prefer to make a recurring monthly gift, please give to The Appalachian Student News Fund through the university here: https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1727/cg20/form.aspx?sid=1727&gid=2&pgid=392&cid=1011&dids=418.15&bledit=1&sort=1.

Donate to The Appalachian
$1201
$5000
Contributed
Our Goal

Comments (0)

All The Appalachian Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *