As of July 2011, Ohio has less than two months to take steps to modernize its unemployment compensation system, or it will forfeit $176.3 million in federal funds. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act set aside $7 billion for states that take steps to bring their unemployment compensation systems into the 21st century. Ohio’s full share of these funds is $265.5 million. So far, we have received $88.2 million ??” a third of the total ??” because Ohio counts workers’ most recent earnings when they apply for benefits, a reform we enacted many years ago. Many states never did so before ARRA. However, Ohio has not taken the steps necessary to qualify for the remaining $176.3 million.
AP: ‘Ohio Unlikely to get $176M for Jobless Benefits’Plain Dealer: ‘Ohio Says ‘No’ to $176