Ohio is running out of time to expand jobless benefits in order to receive $176 million in federal funds to help the unemployed. With an 8.6 percent official unemployment rate, you'd think Kasich would be urging lawmakers to help his constituents.
Oh wait a minute, we forgot. It's Kasich.
The Columbus Dispatch has the story:
State lawmakers have until Aug. 22 to meet the requirements or lose the money...Ohio has received $88 million, about a third of its $266 million state share ...
Tim Burga, president of the Ohio AFL-CIO (said) "This is not a partisan issue. It is common sense legislation that Ohio's unemployment system desperately needs and will help Ohioans in need during these troubled economic times."
To be eligible for the rest, Ohio must implement at least two of four provisions to expand benefits to:
-Part-time workers who lose their jobs.Sounds like a no-brainer to us.
-Those who leave work for compelling family reasons, including domestic violence or to care for an ill relative.
-Pay an additional 26 weeks of benefits to jobless workers enrolled in approved training.
-Provide dependent benefits of at least $15 per dependent per week up to $50.
Oh wait, it's Kasich.
