Louisiana likely to end federal unemployment benefits in July.

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Louisiana could soon stop accepting the federal $300-a-week boost to jobless benefits under a deal passed by lawmakers in the waning hours of the legislative session Friday, a move that would make the state the latest to end the benefits over concerns from business groups that they are causing a worker shortage.

Lawmakers approved a bill to boost the state’s unemployment benefits by $28 a week starting next year. But it would only take effect if Gov. John Bel Edwards ended the state’s participation in the federal program by July 31, which appears likely. That program is giving thousands of laid-off workers $300 a week in addition to whatever they get from the state -- which is a maximum of $247 a week.

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