Judge Denies Effort to Restart Federal Unemployment Payments in Ohio

Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Holbrook this week rejected a legal effort that tried to force the DeWine administration to reinstate the federal government’s $300-a-week supplemental payment to unemployed individuals.

Ohio ended its participation in the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program last month — a move supported by the OMA. Gov. Mike DeWine said the additional payments were discouraging some Ohioans from returning to work, thereby hurting the state’s labor force participation and economy.

Judge Holbrook’s decision is expected to be appealed to the 10th District Court of Appeals. 7/29/2021