COLUMBUS, OHIO — October 27, 2026 — The Ohio Supreme Court today denied a motion for reconsideration in State ex rel. Candy Bowling et al. v. Michael DeWine, in his official capacity as Governor of the State of Ohio et al., Case No. 2025-1055, dealing a significant blow to efforts to secure approximately $900 million in federally appropriated unemployment compensation funds for Ohio workers.
Attorney Marc Dann, whose firm represented the workers in the case, expressed pride in the legal team’s efforts while condemning the political and business pressures that, in his view, prevented the money from reaching the people it was intended to help.
“Now it’s really over. The Ohio Supreme Court has denied our motion for reconsideration in the unemployment compensation case,” Dann said.
“I’m so proud of the work that each and every person in this firm has done to stand up for working-class people who were crushed by the cynical political decision of Governor DeWine and the unending greed and lack of empathy of the organized business community in Ohio, who cut its nose off to spite its face to keep $900 million of federally appropriated money out of the hands of people who not only need it to fill their gas tanks and grocery carts but who would spend it in the very businesses that pressured the Governor to stand in our way.”
The dispute concerns funds that could have provided approximately $3,000 in assistance to as many as 300,000 Ohio workers and their families. For households struggling with everyday expenses, that assistance could have helped pay for groceries, transportation, housing, utilities, and other necessities.
Despite the Court’s decision, Dann said a limited possibility remains that the funds could be preserved rather than reappropriated before January, potentially leaving an opportunity for the incoming Governor of Ohio to take a different approach.
“There is still a ray of hope that the money will not be reappropriated by next January and the next Governor of Ohio will be less political, more empathetic, and understand the impact that $3,000 would have on 300,000 hardworking Ohioans and their families,” Dann said.
There is no guarantee that the funds will remain available or that affected Ohioans will ultimately receive payments. The Supreme Court’s denial of reconsideration represents a major setback in the legal effort to obtain relief through this case.
Dann also recognized the contribution of a key member of the legal team.
“A particular thank you to Brian Flick of our office, without whose leadership we would never have brought this case,” Dann said.
The case has drawn attention to the consequences of decisions involving federally appropriated unemployment compensation funds and the impact those decisions can have on working families. For the affected workers, the dispute has involved not only questions of law and public policy but also the possibility of meaningful financial relief.
The Court’s October 27, 2026, announcement is available at:
Ohio Supreme Court Announcement — 2026-Ohio-4171
https://supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf/0/2026/2026-ohio-4171.pdf
The public docket for Case No. 2025-1055 is available at:
https://sc.ohio.gov/Clerk/ecms/#/caseinfo/2025/1055
Please contact Marc Dann at 330-651-3131 or md***@*****aw.com for comments.
