The Wisconsin Legislature will not be asked this year to cut unemployment benefits or raise taxes on businesses to help pay back loans from the federal government used to provide a staggering amount of claims due to the recession.

However, state lawmakers were told Wednesday that higher taxes and benefit cuts eventually will be needed to pay back nearly $2.4 billion the state is borrowing to pay for unemployment benefits.

The update was given by state Workforce Development officials to members of the Assembly's Labor Committee.

Department Secretary Roberta Gassman says this was not the time to cut benefits or make any other changes because it could slow economic recovery.