In response to October figures, Brown says unemployment extension passed just in time

With the release of the latest unemployment figures, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Lorain) issued a statement Friday touting his work in Washington to extend unemployment insurance.

"We extended unemployment insurance just in time for Ohio families," Brown said. "As Ohio's unemployment rate rises, more families are in need of these critical funds."

According to the figures, Ohio's October jobless rate of 7.3 percent represents a 0.1 percent increase over that of September.

Brown's office noted the passage Thursday by the U.S. Senate of legislation to extend unemployment insurance. Brown backed the bill that was signed into law Thursday night.

"Unemployment insurance temporarily sustains Main Street Americans who want to work, who want to pay their bills, and who want to take care of their families," Brown said. "Their well-being is tied into the well-being of our economy and our nation."

The Senate approved a measure Thursday to give up to three more months of unemployment benefits for those whose benefits have run out or are about the expire. The bill passed in the House in October.

According to Brown's office, more than 50,000 job-seeking Ohioans have exhausted their unemployment benefits since October.