Many of the blogs from the left believe that the federal stimulus money that was pushed aside will be bad for the workers, and it has even caused the full-time DNC Chairman/part-time Governor Tim Kaine to actually drop everything and spreading his anger around the state, because the Republicans in the House of Delegates actually did something fiscally responsible. In fact, the Republicans extended unemployment benefits eligibility from 26 to 59 weeks. Wow! This is an improvement. Where were the Democrats?

The other things to consider: First, the recent decision to expand unemployment benefits will actually say no to any part of the federal stimulus money allocated to Virginia. Delegate Tim Hugo (R-Centreville/Clifton) clarified the second part. Governor Kaine’s tax increase proposal would have increased a business’ tax from $98 per job in 2009 to $159 per job in 2010 and up to $199 per job in 2012. This would be an increase of $101.00 per job. Not only would this tax increase be detrimental to businesses, this would come during an economic recession, which would result in more layoffs.

Here is what the House Republicans did for those keeping records:

• Extending benefits for an additional 33 weeks—beyond the traditional 26 weeks of coverage—for those workers currently eligible for unemployment;
• Ensuring that those who are laid off can keep their health insurance at a significantly reduced cost through extended COBRA insurance for Virginians who’ve lost their jobs at small businesses;
• Receiving $62.5 million in federal stimulus funding to support Virginia’s unemployment insurance trust fund that pays out benefits to unemployed Virginians; and
• Keeping almost 1,000 currently eligible Virginians from falling off the unemployment program rolls.

What have the Democrats done for the unemployed lately? Birds chirping…nothing, didn’t think so. While Governor Kaine is playing politics as usual, at least the House Republicans stood up for those struggling in hard times.

Here is some of the video from the debate on Wednesday:

**Cross Posted at Crystal Clear Conservative