Virginia GOP Rejects Federal Help for Unemployment

Providing yet further proof that they are out of touch with reality and care nothing for individuals and families finding themselves unemployed - and likely without medical insurance - the GOP controlled Virginia House of Delegates voted to reject $125 million in federal funds that would have expanded unemployment benefits to Virginians. These folks worry about an unborn fetus but care nothing about the already born - typical hypocrisy for the GOP in general and RPV in particular. I truly do not understand the mentality, but then maybe it's a good thing that I don't get it. I'm an employer and I cannot fathom leaving people without relief when it would only cost $4.50 per year per employee. Here are some highlights from the Virginian Pilot:
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House Republicans turned down $125 million in federal stimulus money for expanded unemployment benefits to Virginians on Wednesday, saying the windfall ultimately would force higher business taxes. The deeply partisan, 53- 46 vote in the GOP-controlled House of Delegates made Virginia one of the first states to formally reject stimulus dollars and looms as a key issue this fall when all seats in the chamber are up for election.
Earlier in the day, the Democratic-controlled Senate narrowly chose to accept the money on a party-line 21-19 vote.

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A visibly angry Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, who is chairman of Democratic National Committee, denounced the vote as "completely unfathomable." Kaine is scheduled to appear this morning in Martinsville, a city whose 20 percent unemployment tops the state's jobless rate.
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"This wasn't a debate about when we're going to say 'no' to Washington except for people who are sunk in a party of no mentality," Kaine said. "It was about could we find a way to provide meaningful relief to Virginians who are hit by the toughest economy this state has faced in the past 50 years?"

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To receive the federal dollars, Virginia was required to enlarge its unemployment program, which offers fewer benefits than all but a handful of states. Kaine asked lawmakers to provide benefits to idled part-time workers who do not want to seek full-time jobs and extend the length of time unemployment aid is available to those enrolled in job retraining programs.

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Democrats said it was ludicrous not to take the federal money. They said the new programs could be rescinded when the stimulus runs out. Should the General Assembly decide to keep the programs for the long term, they would cost companies about $4.50 per employee per year in additional unemployment taxes. "Unemployed people are in crisis, and this money can help them," said Del. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond. "These are people who are hurting, who through no fault of their own lost their jobs and in many cases cannot pay their bills."