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Fact-Checking Missouri Gov. Mike Parson's Claims About Unemployment Benefits

Profile shot of Missouri Governor Mike Parson from the chest up standing in front of a microphone wearing a dark blue suit, white shirt and red tie.
Jeff Roberson
/
AP
In ending Missouri's participation in federal pandemic unemployment benefits, Governor Mike Parson said, "it's time to get back to work."

In his announcement ending the federal payments, Gov. Parson stated, "It's time that we end these programs that have ultimately incentivized people to stay out of the workforce."

Republican governors in a number of states are making the same claim that people in their states are not looking for employment because of the additional funds from the federal government. The co-author of a 2020 study reveals data that refutes those claims when it comes to unemployment payments and job seeking.

  • Jason Faberman, Senior Economist and Economic Advisor. Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, co-author of “How Do Unemployment Benefits Relate to Job Search Behavior?”
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