Cross Posted: http://bluecommonwealth.com/...
The decision by Virginia Republicans and Bob McDonnell to reject $125 million in federal economic recovery funds for extended unemployment benefits is mind boggling! This is not bail out money being generated from "somewhere" but Virginia tax payers money that the Federal Government is making available to Virginia, to help Virginia workers who have lost jobs to receive extended unemployment benefits, work part time, and get new training that could help them prepare for new jobs that will surely become available in the near future.
There are several businesses including well established builders, who claim hundreds of millions of dollars in Federal money from the IRS, to recoup current business losses - provided they had profitable years in the past. Two well known building companies that are merging just claimed almost a Billion Dollars to cover their losses the last year.
I do not believe that Bob McDonnell understands the economy in spite of the degree in Business and Fortune 50 experience he claims to have. If he did, he would not refuse these funds so desperately needed by our people.
House votes down $125 million in U.S. stimulus funds - Tyler Whitley & Jeff Schapiro, Richmond Times-Dispatch
http://www.timesdispatch.com/...
Kaine criticizes House GOP for spurning jobless benefits - Jim Nolan, Richmond Times Dispatch
http://www.timesdispatch.com/...
State legislators reject federal help for unemployment - Julian Walker & Warren Fiske, Virginian Pilot
http://hamptonroads.com/...
Delegates reject expansion of jobless benefits - Michael Sluss, Roanoke Times
http://www.roanoke.com/...
On Wednesday, Virginia Republicans led by Bob McDonnell betrayed Virginia families and communities suffering from unprecedented unemployment rates and economic challenges.
Here is an issue that is challenging every one - there is no Democratic unemployment, and no Republican unemployment. This is a time when we should all be working together to grow our economy, and to help our workforce get back to work.
McDonnell has not explained his logic for leading this terrible decision and one wonders if the opposition simply arises to oppose Governor Kaine and the Democrats wanting to embrace this opportunity.
This decision to reject $125 million in federal economic recovery money will hurt Virginia families. It will not encourage responsible behavior among unemployed workers, who could be looking for part-time work and enrolling in job training programs. Current rules and funding do not permit these activities that will help get our people out of the hole we are in.
Bob McDonnell's opposition to the $125 million economic recovery money, (which would alleviate some of the problems of unemployment in Virginia) is just another indication that he will deviate and move away from the path made by Warner and Kaine.
McDonnell is likely to take us back to the approach of Jim Gilmore, who turned his back on Virginians experiencing hardship when he repeatedly failed to claim federal matching funds for children's health insurance and refused to extend emergency unemployment aid to workers laid off from the Tultex textile plant in Martinsville. I used to live in Roanoke Virginia at that time, working for a manufacturing company and we could feel the pain suffered by the Tultex textile plant workforce.
Terry McAuliffe held a Press Conference on Thursday 4/9/2009 which was very well attended by several members of the Press. This is a clear indication of public interest on employment related topics, and perhaps the rationale of why the Federal funding had been refused. While McAuliffe condemned the action of the McDonnell led Republicans, he introduced Beth V. a woman who recently lost her job in Scottsville just outside of Charlottesville. Beth has worked at a Charlottesville company for nearly 21 years, before she was laid off in November. She has used unemployment benefits to keep the kitchen fires burning and to put food on the table and gas in the car to keep the family afloat. She has been submitting applications every day and until now has not received any offers. She was excited by the proposals in the stimulus program that would give her new opportunities. She is experienced, perhaps over-qualified, though she did not go to college and has no degree or certifications. She was excited by the stimulus plan announcements as it would help her go get an education and certification, while earning some money working even part time. She is disappointed, disturbed and hurt that the Republicans have refused the money. She wants to make changes in her life and requires certification that she does not have, and there is no way she can afford to be looking for a job and at the same time going to school to better her prospects. The fact that the stimulus package would allow her to work part time, and go to school part time would be a great relief, now she is denied that opportunity. Beth worked for a European high end linen company with retail stores, and she was in charge of the marketing vision for the whole sale market, selling to retailers ranging from mom and pop stores, to national chains. She worked for sales and customer service.
If there was a state run program that required people to provide community benefit as well, it would be a big help. If she could do this program while seeking other employment and educational opportunities, it would be great. She would like to do something that will benefit her, and society as well. She is 7th generation in the area and opined that it is important that Virginia should step up and be a leader in new ideas.
She hopes that the Republican party members would change their attitude and help people like her.
Martinsville has 22% unemployment. Virginia does not want to return to the Gilmore days, but needs to go forwards. VA is 49th out of 50 states in unemployment benefits! If we do not do something soon, our tax money will go to other states.
What can you do?
Write to your local elected officials asking them to do all they can to accept the Federal funding to support extended unemployment benefits, and to condemn the Republicans refusal to accept the funding that will help Virginians struggling to cope with the current situation.
For: Some Democratic candidates respond on unemployment benefits (+)
by: teacherken
Thu Apr 09, 2009 at 15:04:43 PM EDT please check this out:
http://bluecommonwealth.com/...