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House Tosses Controversial Unemployment Compensation Overhaul, Proposes Stopgap Instead

In December 2016, then-House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) gathered with representatives from labor and business groups to announce a plans to chance the unemployment system. However, legislation was never approved.
Andy Chow
House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) and Rep. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton) talk about unemployment compensation plan and future of the issue at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus.

The House is calling for a stopgap for the state’s unemployment compensation fund with the hopes of coming back to pass a larger reform bill next year. 

The new plan would freeze increases to employee benefits for two years and slightly hike up taxes for employers.

Republican House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger calls this a stopgap and a show of good faith that all parties are willing to make some sacrifices in order to overhaul the system.

“Both sides are gonna have to feel a little bit here if we’re getting to a solvency plan and they both realize that and I think that’s what their commitment is to show what they’re willing to do.”

This moves scraps an earlier bill which, according to a nonpartisan legislative report, cut employee benefits by 17% and raised taxes on employers but just under 2%.

No official word yet on if the Senate is on board with the House’ proposal.

Contact Andy at achow@statehousenews.org.
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