State unemployment fund expected to grow

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Officials are forecasting an increase in the state's unemployment insurance trust fund.<br/><br/>The trust is projected to finish this year with $440-million, an increase from

Wednesday, November 3rd 2004, 10:17 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Officials are forecasting an increase in the state's unemployment insurance trust fund.

The trust is projected to finish this year with $440-million, an increase from the $352.8-million at the end of last year.

According to the forecasts, about $200-million in unemployment benefits will be paid this year as compared with $271.5-million last year.

Oklahoma Employment Security Commission actuary Roger Jacks says the projected increase stems from the stabilizing of the economy.

Jacks says the benefits paid out in 2003 reached an all-time high in the history of this agency.