Disgraceful:
RICHMOND, April 8 -- A divided General Assembly narrowly rejected $125 million in federal stimulus money Wednesday that would have provided additional unemployment benefits to thousands of jobless Virginians.
The defeat was a blow to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, who had pushed the matter as the state legislature reconvened for a one-day session.
A visibly angry Kaine berated legislators after the vote and hinted that he might try to find another way to accept the federal money. "There's an awful lot of people who are hurting in Virginia, and the message to them seemed to be: 'We don't care. Fend for yourself,' " he said.
That's right. The federal government literally sought to bail out the American taxpayer - to provide relief for thousands of unemployed Virginians struggling to pay their bills - and the House of Delegates rejected the funds.
Virginia Republican Bob McDonnell, the GOP gubernatorial candidate, is all for such craven political posturing, of course. After all, accepting the stimulus money would be tantamount to admitting that Democrats did something right.
Through his spokesman, McDonnell said he opposes changes that could mean higher taxes for businesses once the stimulus money is exhausted.
"Bob McDonnell is highly supportive of the stimulus money being used to compensate displaced full time workers in Virginia,'' said Tucker Martin, McDonnell's spokesman. "However, creating an unfunded federal mandate to permanently expand benefits with one time funding poses an undue hardship on the taxpayers and employers. Thus the long term effect would not be good for economic development."
So who cares if thousands of unemployed Virginians starve?
Well, the Democrats running for Governor are pretty damn angry. From State Sen. Creigh Deeds:
"It’s unconscionable that Bob McDonnell and Virginia Republicans decided to turn their backs on stimulus funding that would have helped laid-off Virginia workers get back on their feet. This economic crisis is breaking family budgets across the commonwealth, yet Bob McDonnell and his Republican allies still don't get that Virginians are hurting. This isn’t about Democrats or Republicans, it’s about what’s best for Virginia. We need a leader who understands the day-to-day struggles of working families. As Governor, I will build on the Warner-Kaine years and put hard-working Virginians first."
And from former DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe:
"Yesterday, Virginia Republicans, led by Bob McDonnell, turned their backs on Virginia families and communities facing record unemployment rates and unprecedented economic challenges. At a time when we should be working across party lines to get our economy back on track, McDonnell has shown once again that he is more interested in political games and heated partisan rhetoric than working to find bipartisan solutions.
"Not only will this decision to reject $125 million in federal economic recovery money hurt our families, but it will also discourage responsible behavior among unemployed workers, like looking for part-time work and enrolling in job training programs. We should be doing everything in our power to encourage unemployed Virginians to take these steps.
We don't have such a statement from the campaign of former state Del. Brian Moran, but one is surely en route. He can't be pleased about this.
It's a pretty bold decision for McDonnell and the Republicans, too. Apparently they didn't learn any lessons from Jim Tedisco's disastrous campaign in NY-20.
UPDATE: We've got Brian Moran's statement. As expected, he, too, is outraged:
"It’s deeply disappointing that Bob McDonnell and House Republicans have blocked this lifeline for working families. With unemployment in some regions reaching over 20%, people need a government that fights for them more than ever. I know what it means to struggle. Growing up, my father was laid off from his job and our family station wagon was towed out of the driveway. Too many families across Virginia are having those kinds of struggles so we need to act boldly now, not wait for things to get easier. It’s sad that some chose to stand against helping Virginia’s families in their time of need. It’s unfortunate that Bob chose to stand with some national Republican leaders who are turning a blind eye and a cold shoulder to our hard working men and women in Virginia."
On the web:
Creigh Deeds for Governor
Terry McAuliffe for Governor
Brian Moran for Governor