Gov. Laura Kelly blocks GOP bid to pour federal relief money into unemployment fund

[TexasTowelie]

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly said the state’s unemployment trust fund is likely to hit zero by March after the COVID-19 crisis burns through more than $900 million set aside before the pandemic to support people thrown out of work.

The governor said the most likely strategy would be for the state to prop up the trust fund by borrowing at zero percent interest from the U.S. treasury in a manner reminiscent of steps taken a decade ago during a deep national recession. There is concern in Kansas and elsewhere unprecedented escalation of COVID-19 could drive joblessness higher and further compromise state unemployment funds.

Kansas unemployment peaked at 11.9% in April, but fell by half through September to moderate transfers from the trust fund.

“If things don’t get better, we’re likely to be bone dry some time in early spring at the latest,” Kelly said. “We will not be the first state to empty its coffers.”

Read more: https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/15/gov-laura-kelly-blocks-gop-bid-to-pour-federal-relief-money-into-unemployment-fund/

[CharleyDog]

1. It's what Nancy Pelosi has said all along, that if you don't confront the underlying problem:

the epidemic, then the economy will collapse under the weight of the failure.
Now, hospitals overwhelmed, care being rationed, all the fears/warnings are coming to bear.
The mitigation measures that should have worked can't work now because of the massive spread.
More and more restrictions are the only answer unless we all decide as a country, to accept 500,000 dead by February and
a country collapsing and paralyzed by the failure. (and I don't see that happening because it's not something ppl can do alone, everyone needs to cooperate. Yet, we seem to be on the brink of civil war).