Quote:As more states start slashing the $300-per-week enhanced unemployment benefits, New York and North Carolina on Tuesday became the latest states moving on legislation that would authorize one-time "signing bonuses" for unemployed residents who find work—joining a handful of other states considering similar legislation and at least six that have already authorized such payments.

Still awaiting final approval in the state House, the North Carolina proposal, which passed the state senate with bipartisan approval, would give unemployed residents $1,500 signing bonuses if they accept a job within 30 days of the bill becoming law and $800 within 60 days.

Also on Tuesday, New York lawmakers introduced a bill that would authorize a $1,200 payment to unemployed residents who return to work for at least four weeks, and last week, two Republican Massachusetts state senators proposed a similar bill, calling for $1,200 "sign-on bonuses," payable in three increments spread out over a full year.