Oregonians to get extensions

SALEM – Thousands of out-of-work Oregonians will get an extension on their unemployment benefits if they can't find jobs.

Gov. John Kitzhaber signed two hurry-up bills into law today that add as many as 26 weeks of payments to those who would otherwise be cut off.

"Although we are on the path to economic recovery, there are thousands of Oregonians who are still struggling," Kitzhaber said in a news release announcing his action. "Extending unemployment benefits is a lifeline to people in need right now."

Senate Bill 637 allows the state to tap $225 million in federal money to extend benefits 20 weeks, affecting as many as 50,000 Oregonians. SB 638 spends $28 million from the state unemployment trust fund to extend benefits for six weeks, affecting an estimate 17,500 Oregonians whose benefits are set to expire next month.

The bills rocketed through both chambers in a matter of weeks

By Harry Esteve, The Oregonian

I bet a lot of Oregonians are sleeping easier tonight. I am happy for them.

Seems like some confusion arose from this news report. Some people thought it meant that Orgeonians would qualify for more than 99 weeks of unemployment benefits. Which isn't the case.

http://www.ktvz.com/oregon-northwest/27266906/detail.html

In March OR passed two laws.

The first law seems like it was the Three Year Lookback allowing OR to have the 20 weeks of Extended Benefits. Not sure whether OR got EB in the past or not.

The second law seems like it extended OR's state UC benefits from 20 to 26 weeks. A couple of other states recently cut their state UC benefits from 26 to 20 weeks but OR went in the other direction.