Class-action lawsuit over federal unemployment moves forward in Tennessee
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — New developments in the federal class-action lawsuit against Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee Labor Commissioner for ending federal unemployment benefits early.
At a case management hearing Tuesday we learned state attorneys have until Sept. 2 to file motions.
ALSO READ: Tennessee Gov. Lee and labor commissioner face class-action lawsuit over unemployment
FOX 17 News was first to report last month that Tennessee would be the seventh state sued over ending federal unemployment early.
The state is expected to challenge the lawsuit being filed in federal court, but class-action attorney Gary Blackburn says he could still file the case in chancery court.
"You cannot sue a state for money damages in federal court," Blackburn said. "So, what we've done is sued state officials for injunctive relief. In other words an order demanding that the governor not interfere with this money being paid to our clients and other people similarly situated. In other words, we're seeking to enjoin him from preventing the money from coming. It's probably at least $400 million."
People in Indiana and Maryland have sued and won to get their federal unemployment benefits reinstated.
Governor Lee has said ending the federal supplement would incentivize people to get back to work.
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