Sen. Berger Statement on Unemployment Benefits

Raleigh, N.C. — Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) issued the following statement regarding unemployment benefits:

“At $3.8 billion, North Carolina has one of the largest unemployment reserves in the country. Reforms put in place years ago helped build that large balance to allow the state to adjust its benefits program in response to an economic downturn.

“Between federal unemployment assistance and any adjustments made to the well-funded state program, assistance will be in place for North Carolinians impacted by the economic fallout from efforts to contain the virus.

“What adjustments to the state program might be necessary will become clearer once we have more finality on what the federal program will look like. But we have a multibillion surplus for times like this.”