States Economize in Rollout of Trump’s Jobless Aid Boost (1)

A first wave of states has lined up to administer the latest federal boost in unemployment benefits, but there’s little sign they plan to fund their share of the expanded assistance.

At least seven states have been approved for federal grants through the Lost Wages Assistance program President Donald Trump established via executive action earlier this month, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced over the weekend. FEMA, which is funding the federal portion of the benefits increase through its disaster relief fund, has approved grant applications for Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, and Utah.

Four of those states—Arizona, ...