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Virginia won't be getting more federal money for unemployment Date published: 4/9/2009
By CHELYEN DAVIS
RICHMOND --State lawmakers rejected an attempt to get more federal money for unemployment yesterday during their one-day veto session.Gov. Tim Kaine had strong words for the legislators. "There's been an awful lot of people who are hurting," he said. "The message to them seems to be, 'We don't care. We don't care; fend for yourselves.'" Lawmakers also overrode two of the governor's vetoes: one bill allowing retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons into restaurants that serve alcohol, and one that would allow people to take the course required for a concealed-carry permit online. Under the federal stimulus bill, Virginia had to expand unemployment eligibility requirements to get another $125 million in federal money for unemployment. Kaine did that through an amendment to another bill. His amendment would have allowed workers in training programs and those who work only part-time to be eligible for unemployment. Democrats supported the amendments, saying they would help people in areas with especially high unemployment. "These are extraordinary times and a lot of people have been hurt," said Sen. Dick Saslaw, D-Fairfax. "When you vote against this, think twice about what you're doing. There are people who simply need help." Republicans opposed the expansion because they said it would put a burden on businesses to pay for the extra benefits after the federal money runs out, and the expanded benefits would be almost impossible, politically, to scale back once they were passed. "Once we put this on the books, it's never going to come off," said Sen. Frank Wagner, R-Virginia Beach, who said he's laid off 45 employees at his company. Del. Sam Nixon, R-Chesterfield, said it's a good thing Virginia's unemployment program is more austere than other states. "We're being asked to make a permanent change with temporary dollars," Nixon said. "The best unemployment program is employment. I think this moves us in the wrong direction." Del. Kathy Byron, R-Campbell, said "paying people not to work" won't stimulate the economy. She said government shouldn't dictate such a change to businesses, which will be paying the extra money for expanded benefits once the federal money runs out. "Somebody has to pay for it, folks. Nothing comes free," Byron said. "I believe Virginians prefer a paycheck over an unemployment check."
The Unemployed make very good volunteers - for your opponents' campaigns!
"No car tax" Gilmore demonstrated how irresponsible, destructive and naive the Republican philosophy is. It took a Democrat to come in, show leadership (instead of pandering) and clean up his mess!
Mustang2. There are tax cheats on both sides of the aisle. The difference between the two is that the Repukes sends their money to Swiss bank accounts.
The haters on this site never met a tax they didn't love. Maybe thatt's because Dems don't pay taxes-look at the Obama cabinet. LOL. Posters seem to have no idea where this money comes from which is not surprising. Companies do not exist to employ people. They exist to make a profit. If businesses fail, they lay people off. NO ONE works for nothing. Unemployment has never been for part time workers. Va. always pays its bills unlike states like California.Maybe posters should move there.
He's angry, delusional, and heavily armed...not a good combination!
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