U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown promises to work for extensions for the unemployed

BOARDMAN — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown said when the Senate returns to session Jan. 25 he’ll work to extend two critical programs for those who are out of work.

Speaking today at the Mahoning County One-Stop office here, Brown said Congress must extend the Health Care Tax Credit and the Trade Adjustment Assistance program. Both will expire in mid-February without an extension.

Brown, a Democrat from Avon, said both programs are critical to thousands of workers, including Delphi salaried retirees who have seen their pensions cut and their health-care coverage eliminated.

Mary Ann Hudzik, vice president of Warren’s Delphi Salaried Retiree Association, said without extensions many Delphi retirees will have to go without health care.

The tax credit pays 80 percent of health-insurance premiums for qualified trade-affected workers and retirees.

The adjustment assistance provides training and re-employment services to workers who lost their jobs because of foreign trade.

For the complete story, read Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com