State lawmakers and other experts have been discussing for years the best way to shore up the fund that pays Ohioans unemployment benefits, after the fund went broke in the last recession. A Republican-backed bill would cut the maximum amount of unemployment benefits a recipient receives by 23%. But the sponsor said that’s necessary to build up Ohio’s underfunded unemployment compensation fund and provide relief to struggling business owners.

House Bill 376 would lower the maximum unemployment benefits a recipient receives from the 26 weeks to 20 weeks. Rep. Michelle Teska (R-Clearcreek Twp.) sponsored the bill. She said data from the U.S. Department of Labor shows Ohio’s unemployment trust fund would be insolvent within six months if the state enters a recession.

“This bill will help s

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