By liberty

July 8, 2010 4:44 PM | Link to this

Give the money back to the tax payers to stimulate the enconomy. For once give the people who pay taxes some money back. I’d like to know how many of the unemployed immediately started looking for a job once they were laid off and are still looking over a year later. I gaurantee the answer is zero. You cannot tell me these people could not find a job making more than unemployment after looking for a year and a half. I know some many people who found jobs over the last year and all of the jobs pay more tha $8.50 per hour. Also, how many laid off people furthered their education since they were laid off, not many. Its about time we expect people to stand up for themselves instead of waiting for handouts.

By Bill from Brookville

July 4, 2010 1:26 PM | Link to this

How about keeping it in reserve for the next budget. Nothing says every dime must be spent. There may be those that abuse unemployment, show me a system that isn’t abused, but there are still people unemployed and trying that need the money that they spend on necessities keeping the money in the economy

By concerned

July 4, 2010 9:00 AM | Link to this

I agree that the surplus should be given back to the funds you have taken it from. Take a pay cut if you want a surplus, why make the educational system suffer. If you would put the money back in the schools, we could see that the youth of today are provided the necessary education to become the adults of our future! Schools laid off a lot due to this economy and with a surplus like the state has, there is no need for all this suffering. Just think give the schools the money back and people can return to work and get off of the unemployment. Just think then the people can actually support their communities by spending again!

By concerned

July 4, 2010 9:00 AM | Link to this

I agree that the surplus should be given back to the funds you have taken it from. Take a pay cut if you want a surplus, why make the educational system suffer. If you would put the money back in the schools, we could see that the youth of today are provided the necessary education to become the adults of our future! Schools laid off a lot due to this economy and with a surplus like the state has, there is no need for all this suffering. Just think give the schools the money back and people can return to work and get off of the unemployment. Just think then the people can actually support their communities by spending again!

By Balphus

July 3, 2010 2:37 PM | Link to this

Money for unemployment is good. I was laid off for 6 months until finding a new job. Unfortunately, I know alot of people on unemployment that are not even looking or applying for jobs that they could do. Crack down on people not applying for jobs so the people like Joe, in public sector where jobs are scarce or people in private sector that are trying to get a job, can get the money they need until governments and companies start hiring again.

By Irritated

July 3, 2010 10:11 AM | Link to this

I agree that the money should be given to Schools, Libraries and Emergency Personnel. I think it is ridiculous that kids suffer while politicians pad their pockets. Put the money where it belongs. As far as unemployment being extended that is a joke. To many people are abusing the system and not even trying to find a job. There are jobs out there you just have to be willing to work.

By Joe

July 2, 2010 8:48 AM | Link to this

More money for firefighters. I love that idea, since I am a laidoff firefighter/paramedic, with my unemployment running out 3 weeks ago and no extensions.

By sandy sue

July 2, 2010 6:53 AM | Link to this

There are too many people that are abusing the unemployment benefits to just keep giving money away. How about using the money for our schools, fire and police departments where there are budget cuts frequently. Help them keep jobs. The kids are our future, and police and fire fighters save our lives..

By Show us the $$$

July 1, 2010 11:08 PM | Link to this

Is there some way this money could be used to extend unemployment benefits for ohioans in need? Not everyone has found a job just yet. Not a good time to be the Ohio politician who voted against extending unemployment. He just motivated alot more people to vote & get him out of office.