Beginning Monday, Sept. 14, more than 430,000 Arizonans who have lost their jobs will have to live on no more than $240 a week.
The state Department of Economic Security said Friday it was informed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that all funds allocated for the Lost Wage Assistance program had dried up after six weeks. That account had provided unemployed Americans with an extra $300 a week.
DES Director Michael Wisehart had warned a week earlier that the $44 billion earmarked nationally by President Trump would run out soon.
Republican Gov. Doug Ducey has no plans to revisit the $240-a-week cap on state benefits for unemployed Arizonans, which has not been altered since 2004 and is the lowest of any state except Mississippi.
To be eligible for the weekly checks, people must have been laid off or fired through no fault of their own.
The most recent report from the state Office of Economic Opportunity shows the number of people out of work increased between June and July by 19,500.
The biggest losses came in employment in bars and full- and limited-service restaurants. The already beleaguered industry shed another 8,900 jobs — 4.2% — meaning there are now 28,500 fewer people working there than a year ago.
The losses in this sector are particularly attributable not just to COVID-19 but to the executive orders issued by Ducey during the pandemic emergency.
Under those directives, restaurants are limited to 50% capacity. Bars are shuttered entirely unless they meet not just those occupancy limits but other restrictions on normal operations.
The monthly jobless report also showed continued losses of employment at amusement and theme parks and fitness and recreation centers, all businesses restricted by Ducey’s orders.
“The governor has had to make many tough decisions in order to protect public health,” gubernatorial press aide Patrick Ptak said Friday. “Our focus has been on containing the spread of the virus and saving lives.”
Although Ducey doesn’t want to raise the state cap, a Morrison Institute survey conducted in late April and early May found that 52% of Arizonans polled want to permanently raise jobless benefits. That included 68% of Democrats questioned and 41% of Republicans.
Some in the GOP-controlled state Legislature are more open to the idea than Ducey.
Rep. Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, said he believes there’s a case to be made for an adjustment. However, he said he doesn’t want a system where collecting benefits for up to 26 weeks — the current statutory limit — becomes a disincentive to work.
Adjusting the benefits would not affect the state budget. They are paid by a tax assessed against employers on the first $7,000 of each worker’s income, with the average employer charged $112 a year per worker.
The actual levy depends on how often a company lays off workers who are eligible for benefits. Rates can be as low as $3.50 a year per employee and as high as $900 for employers with the worst layoff records.
Any increase in benefits would be reflected in a change in premiums.
There are other options being considered that could help the unemployed.
One is adjusting the law that says Arizonans start losing benefits once their earnings hit $30 a week. Raising that figure to $300, as suggested by state Rep. Aaron Lieberman, D-Paradise Valley, could encourage people to at least get some part-time employment without fear of losing all benefits.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
The iconic Casa Molina bull and matador statue both sport masks on the first full week of the loosening of COVID19 restrictions, May 23, 2020, Tucson, Ariz. The bull previously had a mask on the testicles.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Michelle Leon Cordova, right, mother, and her son Sahuarita High School senior Lino Cordova, whom is fighting cancer, wave at staff members from Diamonds Children Center, friends and the Marana Police Department during a car parade, celebrating Lino's graduation, outside of his home on May 13, 2020 in Sahuarita, Ariz. Cordova stood on the sidewalk while the team from Diamond Children Center, friends and the Marana police department gave Cordova a graduation gar parade. Cordova was given a gift basket with his favorite snacks, gift cards as well as other items he enjoys. The car parade, also, celebrated another graduating senior fighting cancer from Empire High School, Noah Nieto. Nieto, also, received a gift basket with snacks, gift cards and other items Lino enjoys.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Michelle Leon Cordova, right, mother, brings celebration balloons to a car after staff members from Diamonds Children Center, friends and the Marana Police Department celebrate Sahuarita High School senior Lino Cordova, whom is fighting cancer, graduation with a car parade outside of his home on May 13, 2020 in Sahuarita, Ariz. Cordova stood on the sidewalk while the team from Diamond Children Center, friends and the Marana police department gave Cordova a graduation gar parade. Cordova was given a gift basket with his favorite snacks, gift cards as well as other items he enjoys. The car parade, also, celebrated another graduating senior fighting cancer from Empire High School, Noah Nieto. Nieto, also, received a gift basket with snacks, gift cards and other items Lino enjoys.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Personnel from Tucson Medical Center line the heliport to watch A-10's from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base's 355th Wing and F-16's from the Arizona Air National Guard's 162nd Wing make a pass over the facility, one leg of an area wide community flyover, May 14, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Nancy Celix-Campos, right, a respitory therapist at Tucson Medical Center, watches the military flyover with her daughters, Giana, 12, and Jazmyn, 8, from Sentinel Peak on May 14, 2020. Two F-16 Fighting Falcons from Arizona Air National GuardÕs 162nd Wing and two A-10 Thunderbolt II's from the 355th Wing, assigned to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, fly over Tucson area hospitals to honor healthcare personnel and first responders as they are some of the frontline workers dealing with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) head on. "It's been an exhausting two to three months," says Campos, "it's pretty cool, I like how they're going by each hospital."
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Two F-16 Fighting Falcons from Arizona Air National Guard’s 162nd Wing and two A-10 Thunderbolt II's from the 355th Wing, assigned to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, fly over Northwest Medical Center north of Tucson on May 14, 2020.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
A letter carrier portrait on the Ok Market building, located in the Armory Park neighborhood, is adorned with a face mask on May 18, 2020.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Rosemary Garcia waits for a family member outside of a store at Park Place Mall, 5870 E. Broadway Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz. on May 19, 2020. Malls reopened today under CDC guidelines and Gov. Ducey's new rules for businesses due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Park Place Mall has signs throughout the mall reminding customers to keep a six feet distance as well as hand sanitizer stations near each entrance. About half of the tables in the food court have been removed to allow for social distances as well as less than half of the stores have opened with new guidelines. Of the stores open, only 10 customers are allowed to shop in each store at a time.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Pat Schlote steams clothing before it is put on the sales floor at the Golden Goose Thrift Shop in Catalina, Ariz., on May 21, 2020.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Ada Contreras, teaching assistant, looks through containers while reorganizing toys at Herencia Guadalupana Lab School, 6740 S. in Tucson, Ariz. on May 21, 2020. As Child care centers begin to re-open when they are ready, Herencia Guadalupana Lab School is reorganizing and cleaning everything in the facility before re-opening on June 2. To allow for social distancing and decrease the amount of items children touch, Herencia Guadalupana Lab School has sheds where items will go as well as placing items in containers organized by category.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Jen Martinez, right, softball coach, teaches Skylar Reilly about hitting during a session at Centerfield Baseball Academy, 5120 S. Julian Dr., in Tucson, Ariz. on May 21, 2020. After re-opening on Monday, Centerfield Baseball Academy has implemented new policies in response to the Coronavirus Pandemic such as wearing masks, cleaning, signage, hand sanitizer and limiting the amount of people inside the facility.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Karl Bosma, left, and George Cantua, with facilities and maintenance, lay down stickers to mark six-foot separation distance around one of the baggage carousels, part of the efforts at Tucson International Airport to work within the restrictions of COVID19, May 22, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
A lone passenger waits for a flight near one of the shuttered restaurants in the B Gates on the Friday afternoon before Memorial Day at Tucson International Airport, May 22, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Drew Cooper on the stage in the St. Philip's Plaza courtyard, May 22, 2020, Tucson, Ariz., where live music is back on the schedule.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Many people visit Tumamoc Hill during the first day of Tumamoc's re-opening in Tucson, Ariz. on May 25, 2020. After being closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Tumamoc Hill re-opened with some modifications. There are hand sanitizer stations throughout the hike to the top as well as arrows, spaced 10-ft apart, lined up and down the hill. Some runners, hikers and walkers are also wearing masks during their hike. "The steps we are taking aim to provide our community with needed exercise, connection to our beautiful desert and a sense of comfort in such a trying time, while balancing the fact that gathering as a community endangers each of us and our loved ones. This is an unprecedented challenge that we are taking extremely seriously," said Benjamin T. Wilder, director of Tumamoc Hill. Visitors are also asked to limit their group to three people and to not touch the gate at the top of the hill- a tradition for some who make it to the top. "This is a time when we need to establish new traditions and adapt in a creative manner that embraces empathy, unity, care and patience," Wilder said.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Pen Macias, artist, works on part 2 of a mural for a client on E. Broadway Rd., between S. Columbus Blvd. and S. Alvernon Way, in Tucson, Ariz. on May 25, 2020. Macias, known as The Desert Pen, has been working on her clients mural for the past three months. "It's the one thing I love, I have a passion for and the only thing I could be happy doing," said Macias. The mural represents her client, a single mother of four who works in the health care field. One half of the mural is dedicated to the connection between mothers and their children. The other half is dedicated to the connection between nurses and patients. The client wanted some positivity in the mural to show how nurses give a piece of themselves to their patients hence the puzzle pieces in the nurse and the patients, said Macias.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Christina Cortinas, posing at her home, May 28, 2020, Tucson, Ariz., with a photo of her and her mother, Catherine Rodriguez, in San Diego, 1991. Rodriguez is currently in assisted living and fighting COVID19. Cortinas hasn't seen her mother in months, the longest such span in her life.
Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Ruben Lopez looks through handouts while attending a Eviction Resource Fair with his family outside the Pima County Justice Court.
