The Republican majority in the Virginia House of Delegates has denied an attempt by Gov. Kaine to facilitate over $120 million of federal aid (from the stimulus package) that would be used to expand and extend unemployment benefits.

Explanations have of course been offered. For example, Del. Rob Bell (R-58) defended his vote by joining with his leadership in saying the legislation would have raised the cost to employers once the stimulus money ends. Arguments to counter that include the notion that if the legislature could act to secure this money now, it also could act to remove the extensions when the funding ends in 2011. Another counter is that even if the changes were to persist, the future cost would be at most some two cents per worker per day--about $5 per worker per year. (Virginia employers pay an average of $98 per worker per year for unemployment insurance. The national average is $258.)

Cynthia Neff, running for Delegate in the 58th District against Bell, adds that funding for unemployment benefits in Virginia is running low in any event, and an increase in taxes on business will be necessary without the federal money. Neff's campaign manager Mike McCall appreciates the importance of the issue and notes that he hopes Democrats will focus on the economic-stimulative aspect of unemployment benefits in addition to the social benefit of helping people who are out of work

Meanwhile, the political downside for the Republicans in Virginia is obvious: Bob McDonnell, the Republican candidate for governor was consistent in his opposition to the measure. The three Democrats seeking the nominaton to oppose him, Creigh Deeds, Brian Moran and Terry McAuliffe, all supported the package and and attacked McDonnell for his leadership in opposition to what they point out is something that will help a deserving and growing group of Virginia workers (now around 7% or 300,000 people) and their families. In the southern part of the 5th CD, reported unemployment now exceeds 20%.

So why did the Republicans do it?

Tim Kaine is close to President Obama and the head of the Democratic National Committee, so defeating him on this legislation is a strategic blow.

The legislation was opposed by major business lobbying groups--strong backers of Republicans--and its defeat rewards them.

McDonnell has been outspoken in his opposition to the federal plans to stimulate the economy, and against Virginia's participation. Support for this legislation might then have been seen as undermining the Republican standard-bearer.

And there is always basic ideology. Virginia Republicans, while divided on the relevance of some social issues, hold holy their opposition to taxes and to government spending. Perhaps, as in this case, at the cost of votes and to the detriment of Virginians.

(Dave Sagarin, April 10, 2009)