TCC continues talks about the negative impact unemployment benefits have on local businesses

The Toccoa City Commission recently penned a letter to Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to restrict unemployment benefits for anyone not actively seeking reemployment.

During the Toccoa City Commission meeting on Monday, Commissioner David Austin announced that the states of South Carolina and Arkansas have both eliminated the extra $300 federal unemployment benefits for their residents.

He said he would like to see Georgia do the same.

Vice Mayor Jeanette Jamieson said she believes that Kemp will do the same.

Austin said South Carolina was able to make the change through executive order, which Jamieson said Georgia can do that too.

As WNEG News previously reported, Jamieson had asked for the support of the Commission to send a message to Kemp that Toccoa businesses are suffering due to not being able to attract new employees because of extended unemployment benefits.

Jamieson explained that several local restaurants are being forced to reduce their hours because they can’t find anyone willing to work.

Jamieson recommended the Commission send a letter to Kemp explaining the issue.

“I have a grave concern, and I’d like to involve the city commission in it. Brian Westmoreland told me today that he will no longer open at night because he cannot get help. Bell’s Restaurant has gone to four, 10-hour days because they cannot get help, and the theory is, and I think it certainly has a basis, that people are going on unemployment and they’re no longer required to seek work. I think the city of Toccoa should send a letter to governor asking him to add a provision that if a person is receiving state unemployment, and that’s what’s happening, they’re getting state unemployment and federal and it gives them a cushion of income the first $10,200 a year, which is tax free, and they’re not required to seek work,” she said.

She says this has become a crisis for the community.

“This is having a negative effect on all of our restaurants and other businesses. I think it’s our responsibility to ask the governor for a resolution that simply says ‘if they’re unemployment has any part of state funds in it, that they are once again required to seek work, and if they’re offered a job at a reasonable rate of pay and do not accept it, then they will lose the state part of that unemployment. This has gotten to a crisis in this community,” she said.

Austin said he supports Jamieson’s idea; but is afraid that this is a federal issue rather than something the state could address.

“I support that also, but I would make this comment, I’m afraid, because the federal government under this current administration has dictated this, it may be an exercise of futility, but I will certainly support Jeanette’s idea,” he said.

Jamieson says she believes the state can control the state’s funds.

Jamieson made a motion instructing City Attorney John Dickerson to pen a resolution and letter expressing the Commission’s concerns. Austin seconded the motion.

The motion was approved unanimously.

No further action was taken during Monday’s meeting regarding unemployment benefits contributing to Toccoa’s workforce shortage.