By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Missouri may have to borrow $134
million from the federal government next year, to prevent the state unemployment insurance trust fund from going broke.
That was the message today from a state official to a legislative committee.
Employment Security director Gracia Backer says the only alternative is for state lawmakers to find some way to boost funding for the unemployment fund.
The projected deficit is a result of the state paying out more in jobless benefits than it is receiving in contributions from
employers.
The fund also was insolvent during economic troubles in 1983.
A state law prevents the fund from building up reserves during strong economic periods like the late 1990s. The law also restricts how quickly unemployment tax rates can be changed.