The wave of crass, cynical, and uncaring political maneuvering regarding stimulus funds has found its way to Virginia. Yesterday, the GOP-led House of Delegates voted 53-46 to reject Gov. Tim Kaine's acceptance of $125 million in stimulus funds directed toward unemployment benefits:
"I just can't imagine why we would leave $125 million . . . on the table," an angry and red-faced Kaine told legislative leaders in a conference room adjacent to his office at the Capitol.
"This was not about [saying no to] the federal government. This was not about an ideological battle with some distant foe. This is about looking into the eyes of Virginians who have lost their jobs."
With 300,000 Virginians out of work and the jobless rate approaching 7 percent, the federal funds would have extended benefits to unemployed part-time workers and those not working but training for other positions.
House Republicans and business groups said the proposed changes in state law would have left mandates on businesses in place after the federal stimulus money is gone.
"This is a defining moment," said House Minority Leader Ward L. Armstrong, D-Henry, alluding to the potential appeal of the benefits issue as a vote-turner in November contests for governor and the House. "But this is not a fork in the road when you choose business on one side and employees on the other side."
Democrats are angling for a third straight gubernatorial win and hope to take back the House, the last redoubt of Republican power at the Capitol. The GOP has a six-seat majority.
Republicans acknowledged hard economic times, but -- echoing objections from the business lobby that heavily finances candidates in both parties -- said the measure ultimately could push up the operating costs of business. They said that could happen, in particular, by triggering higher taxes to keep solvent the fund from which jobless checks are drawn.
It's hard to separate such actions from the posturing already underway or the 2009 general election, for which all state-wide office holders and all member of the House of Delegates stand. Bob McDonnell, former Attorney General and sole GOP gubernatorial candidate, has publicly taken a position against
expanding unemployment benefits.
The line has now been drawn. If this isn't class warfare, I don't know what is. Let's urge Virginia's Democratic leadership to publicly defend the middle class. Please let Creigh Deeds, Brian Moran, and Terry McAuliffe that hardworking Virginians need their support, and will not stand for the business lobby running our State any longer.
Links:
Creigh Deeds for Governor
Terry McAuliffe for Governor
Brian Moran - Governor 2009
Update: Fixed the link for Brian Moran. h/t totallynext