Kaine proposes more aid for displaced workers

The governor's program will likely encounter opposition from business lobbyists and House Republicans.

By: Times-Dispatch Staff | Times-Dispatch
Published: March 30, 2009

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today announced a series of legislative amendments meant to aid displaced workers and ease the impact of the economic downturn.

Kaine's proposals to seek increased unemployment benefits through the federal stimulus package and to require basic health-care coverage in plans offered by small businesses likely set up a fight with business lobbyists and House Republicans when legislators return to Richmond April 8.

As previously reported, Kaine said he is seeking to change state law to enable the state to receive an additional $125 million in expanded unemployment benefits under the federal stimulus package.

Kaine is asking the General Assembly to make two changes that would allow unemployed people to receive benefits even if they are looking for part-time jobs or participating in job training programs.

Kaine also offered an amendment to House Bill 1889, sponsored by Del. Samuel A. Nixon Jr., R-Chesterfield, to make Virginia eligible to extend unemployment benefits for workers by 13 weeks, on top of the regular 26 weeks and the 20-week extension that now is in effect.

He offered an amendment to Senate Bill 1411, sponsored by Sen. John Watkins, R-Powhatan, to require "basic health-care coverage" in the insurance policies provided by small businesses.

Kaine's amendment would eliminate the six-month ineligibility period in Watkins' bill. It adds health-care items such as childhood immunizations, mammograms, child health supervision services, mental-health and substance-abuse services, pap smears, PSA testing, colorectal cancer screening and diabetes.

Kaine offered an amendment to House Bill 2024, sponsored by Del. Daniel W. Marshall III, R-Danville, to extend COBRA benefits to workers who have been laid off by small businesses.

The amendment would extend COBRA eligibility from three months to nine months for workers of businesses with fewer than 20 workers.

"This is a win-win scenario for all Virginians," Kaine said. "Hardworking families get the support they need to survive the economic downturn, while cash-strapped small businesses get flexibility to do the right thing for workers without putting themselves at further risk of faltering during these tough times."