Senate District 31
Jay Hottinger
Hottinger Votes to Provide Post-Pandemic Unemployment Debt Relief for Ohio Businesses
June 25, 2021
COLUMBUS—State Senator Jay Hottinger (R-Newark) this week applauded the Senate passage of business-friendly legislation that will pay off federal unemployment compensation loans looming over many Ohio employers. In addition, Amended House Bill 168 distributes relief funding to Ohio’s smaller communities, creates a water and sewer improvement program, and supports facility improvements at pediatric behavioral healthcare providers.
"The pandemic put employers in a very difficult place, forcing them to make tough decisions such as laying off employees in order to survive," said State Senator Jay Hottinger. "Among other important issues, this legislation alleviates millions of dollars in unemployment loans, allowing businesses to focus on reviving their businesses and rehiring employees."
Following the 2008 recession, Ohio did not pay off federal unemployment loans until 2016, costing employers millions of dollars and slowing Ohio's recovery. Utilizing federal dollars, the bill requires the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services to pay balance of federal unemployment compensation loans outstanding on August 31, 2021 and on December 27, 2021 to OBM.
Additionally, it appropriates $422 million in Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund dollars to local governments, including cities, villages, and townships under 50,000 persons. Local Fiscal Recovery Funds can be spent on responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, replacing lost revenue to support public services, support the economic stabilization of households and businesses, and address systemic public health and economic challenges.
The bill also appropriates $84 million in State Fiscal Recovery Fund dollars to support infrastructure projects at pediatric behavioral healthcare providers to improve inpatient and outpatient facilities, and creates a water and sewer improvement program.
Earlier in the week, Hottinger offered the amendment to utilize federal COVID relief dollars to cover the cost of paying back the loans. This legislation helps save employers an added tax of $21 per employee in 2022, $42 per employee in 2023, and $63 per employee in 2024.
For more information on House Bill 168, click here.
"The pandemic put employers in a very difficult place, forcing them to make tough decisions such as laying off employees in order to survive," said State Senator Jay Hottinger. "Among other important issues, this legislation alleviates millions of dollars in unemployment loans, allowing businesses to focus on reviving their businesses and rehiring employees."
Following the 2008 recession, Ohio did not pay off federal unemployment loans until 2016, costing employers millions of dollars and slowing Ohio's recovery. Utilizing federal dollars, the bill requires the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services to pay balance of federal unemployment compensation loans outstanding on August 31, 2021 and on December 27, 2021 to OBM.
Additionally, it appropriates $422 million in Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund dollars to local governments, including cities, villages, and townships under 50,000 persons. Local Fiscal Recovery Funds can be spent on responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, replacing lost revenue to support public services, support the economic stabilization of households and businesses, and address systemic public health and economic challenges.
The bill also appropriates $84 million in State Fiscal Recovery Fund dollars to support infrastructure projects at pediatric behavioral healthcare providers to improve inpatient and outpatient facilities, and creates a water and sewer improvement program.
Earlier in the week, Hottinger offered the amendment to utilize federal COVID relief dollars to cover the cost of paying back the loans. This legislation helps save employers an added tax of $21 per employee in 2022, $42 per employee in 2023, and $63 per employee in 2024.
For more information on House Bill 168, click here.
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