Unemployment benefits could be based on Missouri's average unemployment rate

Intro:	Missouri's House voted to cut unemployment benefits in times of high employment,
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Wrap: The bill that would reduce unemployment benefits based on the state's average unemployment rate is now heading to the Senate.

St. Louis Democrat Margo McNeil argued that the state's average unemployment rate would not accurately represent the unemployment rate in the more populated parts of the state.

Actuality:	MCNEIL2.WAV
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Description: If your county or your community has high unemployment it is very difficult to find a job because the competition is much greater.

But bill supporters argued cutting benefits would stabilize the state's Unemployment Compensation Fund and allow the state to pay back federal advances.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Hannah Knight.

Intro:	Unemployed Missouri workers would face a drop in their unemployment benefits in times of high employment under a measure approved by the House Wednesday.
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Wrap: The bill would base the state's average unemployment rate on the number of weeks someone can collect unemployment benefits, is heading to the Senate.

Rural southwest Republican Scott Fitzpatrick said the measure would cut costs to the program so the state can pay off its debt to the federal government that helps fund the unemployment benefits.

Actuality:	FITZ.WAV
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Description: At the end of the day we can't continue to operate this trust fund in a way that's going to run out of money every time we have even a mild recession.

Representatives who oppose the bill argue that the state's unemployment average does not represent the averages of certain districts that are high in population.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Hannah Knight.

Intro:	Missouri's House passed and sent the Senate a plan to cut benefits for unemployed workers in times that there is a low unemployment rate.
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Wrap: The would decide the number of weeks a person in Missouri would receive unemployment benefits based off of the state's average unemployment rate, is now heading to the Senate.

Camdenton Republican Diane Franklin argued that a cut in benefits would help the state repay a loan from the federal government Missouri got to cover benefits during the nation's economic downturn.

Actuality:	FRANKLIN.WAV
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Description: It isn't about the characteristics of those folks that are not employed. It is about the character of our state, the fiscal character of our state.

Representatives who oppose this bill say they're concerned that the state's average unemployment rate will not match the unemployment rate in areas with high populations.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Hannah Knight.