About 55,000 Ohioans among the long-term unemployed are expected to lose jobless benefits soon because of the end of federally funded aid initiated several years ago. The Columbus Dispatch reports that workers who used up to six months of state unemployment payments could get an additional 73 weeks of aid under a federal benefits program that has been extended several times. Some advocates want Congress to extend it again.
Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown wants an extension included if Congress makes a deal to avoid the automatic tax increases and spending cuts known as the "fiscal cliff." His spokeswoman says too many Ohioans are still looking for work.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services says nearly 134,000 workers get unemployment benefits. More than one-third of them receive federal benefits set to end Dec. 29.