INDIANAPOLIS — Gov. Eric Holcomb’s administration is pushing for an increase in business taxes to provide $1 billion more for Indiana’s unemployment trust fund.

The proposed 17% increase would bring premiums paid by companies to a level recommended by the federal government.

The trust fund’s current balance is $830 million, which is up from last year.

U.S. Department of Labor guidelines indicate the state needs as much as $1.8 billion on hand.

Last year, only $251 million was paid in unemployment claims, compared to $1 billion to $1.8 billion a year during the last recession when unemployment topped 10% between 2009 – 2010.