Ohio Reaches Deadline To Get $176M In Incentives

It appears Ohio won't get $176 million in federal stimulus money to expand its unemployment benefits. The federal government set aside $7 billion to give to states that expanded those benefits, and the deadline is Monday. Ohio's General Assembly would have to pass a law to make those changes, but no voting session was scheduled. A spokesman for Republican Gov. John Kasich said it's unwise to make changes that will cost the state in the long run in exchange for one-time money. State Sen. Joe Schiavoni of Canfield expressed disappointment about the passing deadline. The Democrat said the money could have helped unemployed Ohioans. To receive the money, Ohio would have had to choose from a number of options, including extending benefits for those in approved job training.