Suit challenges MD decision ending federal unemployment benefit

BALTIMORE (AP) — Maryland residents who are out of work have filed a class-action lawsuit to block the state’s decision to end enhanced federal unemployment benefits next week.

News outlets report that the Unemployed Workers Union filed the suit Thursday in Baltimore Circuit Court. The lawsuit challenges Gov. Larry Hogan’s authority to stop several unemployment benefits on July 3, seeking an injunction to keep the governor from revoking benefits two months before the federal end date. The lawsuit also seeks benefits for people who filed claims but haven’t yet received payments.

Hogan says the additional benefit is unnecessary now that vaccines are widely available and there is a growing worker shortage.

At least 24 other states with Republican governors have taken similar steps.

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