NASHVILLE - State officials say they are working to reinstate unemployment benefits for thousands of long-term jobless Tennesseans.
Last week, Gov. Bill Haslam and the General Assembly agreed to re-establish the federal Extended Benefits program.
On April 16, Tennessee "triggered off" the program, which gives an additional 20 weeks of federally funded relief, after Haslam decided not to adjust state law to new federal requirements.
But lawmakers, with Haslam's support, last week passed legislation aimed at retroactively reinstating the program back to April 16.
The bill becomes law when Haslam signs it. It will affect some 28,000 in all, including 20,000 people who have thrown off the program since April 16.
For complete details, see tomorrow's Times Free Press.