State official reports positive signs for unemployment fund
CARSON CITY -- Modest improvements are starting to surface in the state's unemployment benefits fund after Nevada's economic crisis gutted it.
Nevada Employment Security Division Administrator Cindy Jones told legislators Wednesday that fewer Nevadans than expected are filing claims for unemployment benefits. The state owes the federal government about $2 million less in interest for the money Nevada borrowed to keep payments flowing.
Nevada's unemployment rate dropped to 13.2 percent in March, down from a peak of 14.9 percent in December.
Officials want legislators to approve $64 million to pay the interest, down from the $66 million planned. Nevada has borrowed to cover a $759 million deficit in the unemployment fund.
