Oklahoma Supreme Court To Hear 2 Cases Involving Federal Unemployment Benefits

The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Wednesday will hear two cases involving the possible restoration of federal unemployment benefits in Oklahoma.

Wednesday’s hearing comes after an Oklahoma County district judge ruled that Governor Kevin Stitt overstepped his authority by ending pandemic-related unemployment payments. The state is now challenging that judge's ruling.

The governor said the extra payments gave too much incentive for people to stay home, and offered a $1,200 incentive for people to go back to work.

For now, the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission has started the process of resuming the extra unemployment payments.

In a post on social media Tuesday the OESC said:

“Considering the temporary injunction ruling, we have notified the U.S. Department of Labor and had preliminary discussions about steps involved for reinstatement of federal programs. Following rulings resulting from the hearings at the Oklahoma Supreme Court this week, OESC will work with all relevant state and federal partners on any relevant next steps to move forward. Additional updates will be shared as they become available.”

This appeal will be heard immediately after a separate but similar case, involving 10 Oklahomans who are asking the courts to restore benefits.

The hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and will be live-streamed.