Kaine urges expanded unemployment benefits
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine wants to help more unemployed Virginians get financial assistance while they look for work -- and boost the state's dwindling trust fund for unemployment benefits.
Kaine says he will propose changes in state law next week that would allow the state to receive $125.5 million in federal stimulus money by allowing jobless people to receive unemployment insurance while looking for part-time work or receiving job training. Currently, such people are not eligible for unemployment benefits under Virginia law.
The governor will propose the changes by Monday night so they can be acted upon by the General Assembly at its veto session April 8. But Kaine faces a political fight because of opposition from the business community and House Republicans.
"The governor thinks we should do whatever we can, within reason, to take advantage of the entire stimulus package," said Gordon Hickey, the governor's press secretary.
The decision to expand unemployment benefits already has stirred a debate over the best way to bolster a state system that is heading for insolvency because of the rising demand for benefits by people who have lost their jobs in the recession.
Employers already face a sharp increase in unemployment taxes to maintain current benefits, based on projections that show the state unemployment trust fund as low as 30.9 percent by midyear.
If the expanded benefits are adopted by the assembly, Virginia would receive a total of $187.5 million -- including $62.5 million that is not tied to changes in state law -- to lift the trust fund and postpone the need to borrow more than $232 million from the federal government to keep the system afloat.
But Virginia businesses warn that expanding benefits would raise the long-term costs of a system that already is going broke. Once the stimulus money is gone, they say, employers will bear the burden of a more expensive menu of benefits.
"You're asking Virginia employers to accept a permanent tax change for a temporary benefit," said Keith Cheatham, vice president of government affairs at the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, which opposes the proposed changes. "It's helpful until it's gone. When it's gone, what you have left is a system that costs more."
On the other side, advocates say the changes -- and the federal money that comes with them -- would strengthen a state system that is weak in providing benefits.
"At a time when so many Virginians are losing their jobs in this recession, providing a boost in unemployment benefits is critical," said Michael Cassidy, executive director of The Commonwealth Institute, a Richmond-based think tank.
The additional $125.5 million depends on the state choosing among four options offered by President Barack Obama for improving unemployment benefits.
Kaine picked two optional benefits:
- allowing unemployed people to receive benefits while looking for part-time, not full-time jobs, which the VEC estimates would cost about $10 million more a year or $2.36 per employee; and
- giving benefits to jobless people who are enrolled in a state-approved training program, which would cost about $8.1 million a year or about $2.20 an employee.
Cheatham, who leads a business task force on unemployment compensation, agrees that business taxes will go up without federal aid or any change in state law. But he argues that expanding benefits would punch a bigger hole in a leaking bucket, and that the Obama administration should give back more money to Virginia from federal unemployment taxes paid by businesses here.
"We will ask the General Assembly to just say no," he said. "I know it's painful."
Contact Michael Martz at (804)
.
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Reader Reactions
studebaker - So what you’re saying is that those in need have no obligation to seek out places that can help them? You can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a church or even a non-profit capable of helping a need. If the person is not religious or wealthy, a church, believe it or not, won’t turn them away (have a look in the book of James for that one).
What responsibility does the person in need have to himself and his family?
With regards to people who have bled for me, I’ve done my hitch in the Army as a SSG in the Infantry and I was a firefighter - I’ve done my share of working, bleeding and sweating and I’m not finished yet.
See, the difference between us is that I believe that people can do for themselves and that we can take care of the ones who genuinely cannot. I know that everyone has a talent and skills they can use to generate revenue for themselves. People are far more resourceful and capable than I think you’re giving them credit for.
I’ve been working since I was 14 - no matter what the economy - I’ve washed dishes, washed cars, cleaned chimneys, cut grass, been in the Army etc, etc, etc. I wasn’t rich and I wasn’t lucky. I aggressively looked for work and found it. I used my Army money and GI bill to pay my way through college. My apologies if I am less than sympathetic to people who will not work but are completely capable of doing so.
Some people cannot work - we need to take care of them. Some people will not work - they need to realize the reward for refusing to work.
“Studebaker - frankly, you’ve missed the point and don’t have a good grip on the Christian faith as hard you may try.” Posted by ( Randy ) March 28
Randy, I do not claim to be a Christian. However, I know the Fruit of the Spirit when I see it: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. “ To tell you the truth, I haven’t noticed (and my eyes are wide open) these virtues to be common amongst Born Again Christians. All I see is a bunch of politically correct whiners point fingers at everyone but their selves. I understand the Christian scriptures well enough to tell sincere faith from a bitter & angry spirit. In fact a knowledge of Christian scripture is not necessary for one to make such distinctions.
Read the passage I posted from The Book of Amos again. Think it over.
one89 - Please make the case that the government should use coercion to take money from one group of people who earned it and give it to people who did not earn it.
Please read my post twice. The question isn’t whether these people should be taken care of, the question is, by whom should they be taken care of - because our government is too big, too inefficient and takes too much money off the top to get the job done right.
If the money I earned is going to go to people who did not earn the money I did, I’d rather the government not get a cut of it such that the recipient gets less than what I could have given directly on my own.
People like Studebaker are missing the point thinking that I am against charitable giving - I’m not. I’d rather give directly to someone who has approached me with a need. That way, the person with a need gets all of the money I’ve put towards him and not what’s left after the government covers its overhead.
“We’re commanded as individuals, not through the government to handle the charity of our poor, children and widows. If you like a system that takes as much as 70% on the dollar to help the poor, when I can give them 100% on the dollar as an individual - well, I guess that’s your problem.” Posted by ( Randy ) March 28
***
Randy, as I said (more or less) in an earlier post your “100% on the dollar as an individual” does not reach 100% of the need—nor does the church at large. Assuming that all the folks out of work or in need could find their way to you, your church, and the Church at Large, looked people in the eye and ask for help could you or the church make good on it?
You have every right to order your “Christian” community as you see fit. But the “Christian” community lives within the greater community of Americans; and there are unbelievers –many out of work—who have shed blood for you!
While the assumption may be that the “unemployed” individuals who would receive this money are all capable of getting a job, that may not necessarily be true. For example, there are many areas - like Southwest VA—where there are very few employment opportunities available. I think there was a article recently about the Martinsville/Henry County area that has been hard-hit by the declining economy. There are no jobs for these folks. Some are getting job training—but they still have to live in the interim. Most of their family probably still live in the area and they are also struggling or unemployed. So, what about those people? Who do they go to when everyone is in the same boat as they are? Do we automatically exclude everyone for assistance or should there be some provision for those who truly are in dire straights. Can we assume that everyone has family/friends who can help, just because we are fortunate enough to have those resources? What if you paid into the unemployment insurance for many years - aren’t you entitled to get something back?
Studebaker - frankly, you’ve missed the point and don’t have a good grip on the Christian faith as hard you may try.
PLEASE make the case that the government should be in the business of dispensing charity as big and inefficient as it is. Do make the case that the government should get as much as 70% on the dollar of money that should be going to the poor. You’re for that? Then you don’t get it.
Please make the case that the government has a right to take people’s money by coercion and give it to people who did not earn it and without insisting on some accountability for the funds they receive. Do you even have a case or is this just a critique of Christianity?
The government declared a war on poverty. They gave us the new deal, subsidized the poor and look what we’ve got for it - higher illegitimacy and poor education. If you’re going to try to make the case that things are getting better, it certainly would help if you could explain why we’re still annually pumping billions into social programs instead of millions or less.
Nah, the bottom line is that your way doesn’t work. The government’s way does not work. The individual way does work - there’s less condescension from government apologists that way.
Nice try though.
“Jordan - I’m not a rich tightwad - I’m a middle class tight wad who is trying to provide for my family. Having to provide for your family makes providing for mine more difficult - do you understand that?”
“Funny thing, I belong to a church that feeds the poor and we help each other when there’s tough times - no government necessary. Do you belong to a church? Have a network of friends you could ask for help? Have family?”
“I have had trouble before and I had to cowboy up and ask for help from family. I looked them in the eye and asked for help. I didn’t get the government to do the asking for me - or in the government’s case, take the money by threat of force from me.” Posted by ( Randy ) March 28
***
Like many Evangelical and other Christians of our times, Randy gets it and yet does not get it at all: “ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.” Churches do their part helping the poor; and that is wonderful. But Churches do not reach every person that is in need—and Randy knows it. But in his pride Randy takes no thought of the people not reached by Christian Charity; fore he would rather boast & judge. He don’t need no government (so he says) therefore others shouldn’t—for he is a real man. And, to add insult upon insult he misuses the American value of civic duty as an altar to worship the idol of his own persecution complex: “I didn’t get the government to do the asking for me - or in the government’s case, take the money by threat of force from me.”
Is this what Randy considers to be a demonstration of faith???? I hope not!
***
“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:46-48
“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:1-4
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,‘ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11&12;
We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-8
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat”. 2 Thessalonians 3:10
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. Proverbs 6:6
A little sleep a little slumber a little folding of the hands to rest - and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.
Proverbs 6:10-11
We have a responsibility to ourselves Studebaker. We are also to be charitable to one another. Routing our money through the government who receives a giant portion of what should be our direct charitable giving is immoral.
If you need my help, come to me. Look me in the eye and ask for it like a man or woman, I won’t turn you down. Asking the government to take it from me by coercion and give it to you is immoral. I have more respect for the street beggar who looks you in the eye, tells you his problem and shows gratitude when you give than I do for the guy who goes to the government and, in effect says, “I need you to take someone else’s money and give it to me (and while you’re at it, take a cut for yourself)“.
We’re commanded as individuals, not through the government to handle the charity of our poor, children and widows.
If you like a system that takes as much as 70% on the dollar to help the poor, when I can give them 100% on the dollar as an individual - well, I guess that’s your problem.
“Some may not find the notion of AIG executives getting huge bonuses all so tasteful - but, personally, I find it even more repugnant that people receive money from tax payers when they do not work, earn and produce it.” Posted by ( Randy ) March 27
Amos 8
3 “In that day,“ declares the Sovereign LORD, “the songs in the temple will turn to wailing. Many, many bodies—flung everywhere! Silence!“
4 Hear this, you who trample the needy
and do away with the poor of the land,
5 saying,
“When will the New Moon be over
that we may sell grain,
and the Sabbath be ended
that we may market wheat?“—
skimping the measure,
boosting the price
and cheating with dishonest scales,
6 buying the poor with silver
and the needy for a pair of sandals,
selling even the sweepings with the wheat.
7 The LORD has sworn by the Pride of Jacob: “I will never forget anything they have done.
Jordan - I’m not a rich tightwad - I’m a middle class tight wad who is trying to provide for my family. Having to provide for your family makes providing for mine more difficult - do you understand that?
Funny thing, I belong to a church that feeds the poor and we help each other when there’s tough times - no government necessary. Do you belong to a church? Have a network of friends you could ask for help? Have family?
I have had trouble before and I had to cowboy up and ask for help from family. I looked them in the eye and asked for help. I didn’t get the government to do the asking for me - or in the government’s case, take the money by threat of force from me.
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