Group of Republican MA lawmakers propose $1,200 bonus for unemployed residents to find a job

BOSTON (WLNE) – A group of Republican lawmakers in Massachusetts are trying to make going back to work as attractive as staying on unemployment.

They’re proposing a$1,200 bonus for finding a job.

The bonus pay proposal will be debated in the state house for it to be included in the state house next week

But it could face an uphill battle in the Democrat controlled legislature.

If approved, the state would pay residents $1,200 to come off of unemployment by August 7.

That bonus would be spread out over 12 months and would be funded by the President”s American Rescue Plan.

“Seasonal business and small businesses right now are having a real hard time finding people to employ,” Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton) said. “We designed it this way from July 1 until Aug. 7 to not only to incentvize people to go to back, but to stay employed.

The remaining COVID-19 restrictions in Massachusetts are all set to be lifted this Saturday.