The ranks of the unemployed have more than tripled in six months. State unemployment-insurance programs have paid benefits to tens of millions of idled workers in that time, helping them hang on until the crisis eases and they can get back on their feet. Understandably, debate has centered on the size of these benefits—including the $600-a-week enhancement that the federal government paid to recipients through July 31. Few are talking about the automatic tax hikes that will finance these benefits as the economy recovers.

Source: Wall Street Journal September 13, 2020 20:33 UTC