Only 3% of jobs posted on Tennessee's website list more than $20,000 per year

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — There are more than 250,000 jobs available in Tennessee right now, but some lawmakers say there’s a catch with that number.

Only 3% of the jobs posted — about 8,500 as of Friday evening — appear to pay $20,000 or more. The federal poverty line for a family of three is just under $22,000. Some jobs posted on the site don't show the hourly or salary pay for that position.

Senator Heidi Campbell (D-District 20) said she’s worried about Tennessee losing the federal CARES Act funds currently paying for some unemployment benefits. Governor Lee elected to stop accepting those in July, saying he didn’t want to pay people to sit at home.

RELATED: Federally-funded pandemic unemployment benefits in Tennessee will expire July 3, Lee says

“I think for the most part Tennesseans aren’t lazy and, I think it’s kind of insulting to continuously imply that they are,” Campbell said.

FOX 17 News Reporter Rachel Tiede reached out to the governor, lieutenant governor, and Republican lawmakers to see if they wanted to comment on Campbell’s remarks. We are still waiting to hear from most. No one could do an interview on Friday.

The governor’s office issued the following statement:

Jobs4TN has job postings for every skill level, in every part of the state. While there are more than 257,000 jobs currently posted on the site, that number does not account for many employers in the state who post their job openings on other sites or by other methods. We are focused on helping Tennesseans find meaningful employment.

The governor’s office also said they've heard from employers across the state who are struggling to hire workers.

“Last week, Governor Lee visited a minority-owned restaurant in Memphis that has operated for over 70 years. The restaurant owner told the Governor they have been forced to open just 3 days a week (normally 7 days a week) because she can’t find enough workers, and she was very clear that increased unemployment is the cause,” the governor’s office said.

The Tennessee State Democrats posted an article saying the governor is “peddling anecdotes rather than evidence.”

The governor’s office also detailed the following information:

The Dept. of Labor has a number of online and in-person services available to help Tennesseans find meaningful employment:

• Tennessee employers currently have over 250,000 jobs posted on www.Jobs4TN.gov.
• Career specialists at more than 80 American Job Centers across Tennessee can work with job seekers to identify new employment opportunities. Find your local job center here.
• Career Specialists can work to identify possible training programs that can help an individual change their career pathway or enter an apprenticeship program so they can earn a competitive wage, while they learn a new trade.
• The Tennessee Virtual American Job Center allows Tennesseans to research different programs that can help remove barriers to employment so they can more easily reenter Tennessee’s workforce. This can include child care, uniforms, or gas money.
• Claimants have access to free online training courses through the state’s partnership with Coursera. There are over 4,000 courses from 200 businesses and universities that can prepare an individual to earn a certificate in many programs.
• Those receiving unemployment benefits through a medical exemption provided by the PUA program can learn how to enroll for Social Security disability benefits by going online or calling 1-800-772-1213.

ALSO READ: Federal unemployment cut could cost Tennessee millions, but Lee stands by his decision

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