FYI: More than 62,000 unemployed New Yorkers will be prematurely cut off from benefits on December 28 when the federal emergency unemployment insurance program expires, according to a Center on Budget Policy and Priorities analysis. Congress created the program in March to offer an additional 13 weeks of coverage for those who have burnt through regular benefits. But legislators disagreed bitterly over bills renewing the program and were unable to resolve their differences before adjourning in November. The House GOP bill would allow those currently enrolled to continue getting benefits until they have used up their 13 weeks, while a Democratic version would extend the program until June for everyone who has run out of regular benefits, regardless of how long they’ve been unemployed. Either way, Congress won’t readdress the issue until it reconvenes in early January. [12/20/02]