Senate advances measure on federal unemployment money

By Julian Walker
The Virginian-Pilot
© February 9, 2010

Legislation that would make Virginia eligible for $125 million in federal unemployment stimulus dollars advanced out of the Senate on Monday, nearly a year after the legislature rejected a similar proposal.

Sen. John Watkins, R-Powhatan County, is carrying SB 239, which would enable Virginia to get the federal dollars.

The measure also would extend another 26 weeks of benefits to certain jobless Virginians in approved training programs. And it defines what other types of voluntary employment separation would permit an individual to receive benefits.

Last year, House Republicans rejected the federal unemployment money because accepting it meant making part-time workers and those in job training programs eligible to receive jobless benefits.

Historically, Virginia has offered unemployment benefits only to qualified full-time workers who have lost jobs.

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