Erie County Legislator Frank Todaro recently announced his support of Congressman Chris Jacobs’ Help Wanted Act which addresses the growing labor shortage in Western New York. This is in response to the severe labor shortage the country is facing as the economy begins to reopen and COVID restrictions are being lifted due to the spike in the rate of inflation and for the product shortages we are experiencing.

The Help Wanted Act requires three main goals. First, that every state reinstates the work-search requirement for unemployment benefits. This requires unemployment recipients to show proof of a job search to receive benefits. Many states had suspended that requirement during the height of the pandemic. Second, the Act would remove a provision from the CARES Act that allows people to collect unemployment benefits after voluntarily leaving their jobs. Finally, the Act would prohibit the use of generic concerns about COVID-19 as a reason for turning down employment offers.

Congressman Chris Jacobs said, “In the last COVID-19 package, the President extended disincentives to work causing massive labor shortages, even when numerous economic experts warned additional funding was not needed. It’s time to end these disincentives and jumpstart our economic recovery. My legislation, the Help Wanted Act does just that. I commend members of the Erie County Legislature for supporting this critical measure.”

Legislator Todaro said, “The time has come for residents to get off of unemployment and get back to work. Jobs are out there and are ready to be filled. The risks of COVID-19 have subsided and we can no longer use that as a viable excuse to stay at home. The Help Wanted Act has my full support and I look forward to this legislation being passed.

A copy of the resolution can be found here.