(The Center Square) – Ohio Democrats are pushing Republican Gov. Mike DeWine to distribute nearly $1 billion in federal COVID-19 unemployment funds following a court ruling.
A Franklin County judge ruled recently the state must reinstate its participation in the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation fund and get nearly $900 million the state passed on when DeWine decided to stop the program in June 2021.
The program offered an extra $300 per week to those unemployed between Dec. 27, 2020, and Sept. 6, 2021. DeWine said the program was discouraging Ohioans from returning to work.
Twenty-four other states also opted out of the program.
In 2021, a Franklin County judge ruled for the state, but an appeals court overturned that ruling. By the time the case reached the Ohio Supreme Court, the benefits had expired, and the court said the case was moot.
In 2024, Franklin County Judge Michael Holbrook allowed plaintiffs to bring an amended claim. This week, Holbrook ruled the state violated state law and ordered it to “take all necessary” steps to get and distribute the money to those eligible.
Lawmakers are urging DeWine not to appeal the decisions and distribute the money.
“These are dollars that belong in Ohio communities, helping families make ends meet and stimulating local economies, not left sitting in Washington while Ohioans struggle,” said Rep. Tristan Rader, D-Lakewood. “Families and small businesses today are still feeling the impact of the pandemic and these funds will help bring needed relief.”
In a letter to DeWine, Senate Democrats pointed to rising inflation and few job expectations as key needs for the additional funds.
With the cost of living at an all-time high, inflation on the rise, and the job market slowing down with fewer jobs than expected being added to the economy, now is the time to support Ohio’s workers in limbo by offering them temporary assistance during their job searches,” the letter reads.
