House rejects unemployment benefit changes
The Republican controlled House of Delegates, successfully turned back a proposal by Governor Tim Kaine to allow changes to the Virginia’s unemployment benefits standards. The changes would have given the state access to millions of dollars in federal stimulus money to help unemployed Virginians.
The Senate passed the measure, but only after a rigorous debate put up by Republicans. The Democratic senate passed the changes 21-19.
On the House side, the Republicans in charge argued that despite the $125 million lift the feds would provide, Virginia business owners could not afford the long term changes to the jobless benefit structure. GOP leaders believe it would put an unnecessary burden on small business owners in particular, who have been hit hard by the economic conditions. The argument was enough to block the measure on a predominately party line vote.
Governor Tim Kaine is expected to weigh in on the House vote shortly after the veto session gavels out. We will have the latest as soon as it becomes available, as well as coverage tonight on NBC12 news at 11.
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[...] Republican House of Delegates turned back a plan to change the standards for unemployment benefits in Virginia to allow for more than $125 million [...]
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