From The Virginian-Pilot
By Daryl Lease

A few questions and answers about the economy…

Q. I keep reading that some state legislatures are turning down federal stimulus money for unemployment compensation. Florida’s lawmakers just turned down $444 million, a few weeks after the Virginia General Assembly refused $125 million. Louisiana and other states, mostly in the South, are apparently considering the same. What’s going on?

A. Lawmakers, predominantly visionary Republicans, say the money comes with too many strings. For instance, the states would have to start covering part-time workers who lose their jobs and extend the length of time that people in job retraining programs can draw unemployment.

Q. What’s so awful about that?

A. As the majority leader in Florida’s House of Representatives says, it’s “an unfunded mandate from the Obama administration.”

Q. Um, hello? $444 million? $125 million? Isn’t that “funding”?

A. Technically, yes. And it’s not actually a mandate, per se. It’s a temporary program, lasting two years. But we all know it’s hard to end something like this once it starts.

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