Nearly 300,000 Virginians are unemployed — with unemployment rates in places like Martinsville as high as 20.2%.
Yet on Wednesday, April 8, Virginia’s Republican-dominated House of Delegates followed the lead of gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell and rejected $125 million in federal unemployment funds for Virginia.
As news media reported GOP gubernatorial nominee Bob McDonnell “favored rejecting the jobless money” and “McDonnell opposes unemployment stimulus,” all but two House Republicans voted to reject expanding unemployment benefits for struggling Virginians.
The $125 million is money from the federal government paid for by Virginians’ tax dollars. These funds, which are part of President Obama’s stimulus plan, would have gone to displaced workers in Virginia and helped to stimulate our economy.
Despite the highest unemployment rates our state has seen in decades, the Republican-dominated House chose to play political games instead of protecting our future.
“When are we going to tell the Congress of the United States that they don’t set the public policy of Virginia on a state administered and a state run program like unemployment insurance,” said Republican Delegate William Fralin in remarks from the floor of the General Assembly (Watch on YouTube).
In these tough economic times, rejecting $125 million will hurt both businesses and families in Virginia. As the state unemployment trust fund approaches insolvency, these funds could have delayed rate hikes for businesses. At the same time, the funds would have helped Virginians who have been laid off get the job retraining they need.
It’s not too late to fix the problem. Demand the General Assembly go back to Richmond, fix this mistake, and do what’s right for Virginians. It’s time for our elected leaders to stand up for Virginia and vote to accept the economic relief we deserve.
Sign the petition now — and tell the General Assembly to Stand Up for Virginia.
Watch Governor Kaine's reaction upon learning about the Republican's refusal of the money.
