Deeds dredges up unemployment debate

Creigh Deeds today said he will push legislation next year that will make the state eligible for $125 million in stimulus funds to extend unemployment benefits to more jobless Virginians.

Democratic efforts to accept that money were defeated in the General Assembly by the Republican-controlled House of Delegates earlier this year. GOP lawmakers argued that strings attached to the money would harm the state's economy in the long term.

While it is clear that Deeds is pledging to seek the funds as governor, it is conceivable that he could advance such legislation as a state Senator if he doesn't prevail in the November election against Republican Bob McDonnell, whom he accused of "leading the partisan charge" against taking the money.

"Bob McDonnell turned his back on Virginia's most vulnerable citizens," Deeds, the Democratic nominee for governor, said in a statement. "This unemployment stimulus money will retrain Virginians to improve their job skills and help the unemployed temporarily put food in the fridge and gas in the tank."

For his part, McDonnell has said he opposes taking the money with stipulations attached, but would be willing to accept it if Virginia is given a federal exemption.

"This is just another example of how our opponent stands for big government programs that will further delay our economic recovery, while Bob McDonnell is focused on economic policies that will protect our taxpayers, grow Virginia's economy, create new jobs and bring more opportunities to every region of the commonwealth," McDonnell spokeswoman Crystal Cameron said when contacted Tuesday.

To receive the unemployment stimulus money, Virginia needs to extend benefits to idled part-time workers and individuals in job training programs. Under the state's current system, benefits are generally only available to full-time workers who lose their jobs.

Many Virginia Democrats, including Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, pushed for the expansion in order to access the federal money. Following a Tuesday morning news conference on another subject, Kaine said it is unlikely that the stimulus debate will be revived during the scheduled Aug. 19 special session of the legislature.

State GOP officials have argued the money is an unfunded federal mandate whose costs will fall on the backs of businesses when the federal money is spent.

-- Julian Walker

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