Published:Saturday, June 28, 2008 8:33 AM PDT
Serving the South Coast of Oregon

Oregon raises minimum, maximum jobless benefits
Saturday, June 28, 2008 8:33 AM PDT

SALEM (AP) — If you lose your job this summer, the Oregon Employment Department has at least a bit of compensating news.

As of Sunday, the state will raise the minimum and maximums for unemployment benefits.

The department calculates those limits each year. The actual benefit depends on how much you’ve made and is determined by a formula.

The maximum weekly benefit is scheduled to rise by $19, to $482. That’s 64 percent of the average weekly wage in Oregon.

The minimum weekly benefit is scheduled to rise by $5, to $113. That’s 15 percent of the average weekly wage.

The changes, however, don’t affect those already on unemployment — only those who file after Sunday.

Recount: Measure 53 passes

SALEM — A recount shows an Oregon constitutional amendment on civil forfeitures narrowly passed. The results released Friday show Measure 53 with 490,158 in favor to 489,477 opposed — a difference of 681 votes.

The initial count in the May 20 primary showed the measure winning 489,592 to 489,042 — a difference of 550 votes. Under Oregon law, the state must conduct a recount when the margin is less than a fifth of 1 percent.

Measure 53 is a constitutional amendment that modifies civil forfeitures related to criminal activity and the use of the proceeds by law enforcement agencies.

Most counties had only minor changes in their results as a result of the recount. Results from three counties — Baker, Harney and Malheur — did not change at all.


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