Virginia Democrats Hammer GOP For Rejecting Millions in Stimulus

ALEXANDRIA, Va (WUSA) -- Virginia Democrats think they have a huge campaign issue tonight -- after Republicans in the House of Delegates rejected 125 million dollars in federal stimulus money.

The money would have gone to provide unemployment insurance to part-time and workers-in-training who lose their jobs. Some Republicans say they would have taken it -- if there were no strings attached.

But in a state where unemployment is skyrocketing -- this is a hard one to explain to people looking for work. "This is my son, I don't know if you can get it," Attila Ugur said, flashing a picture on his little camera.With a wife and son now crammed into one bedroom of a friend's apartment, says he's desperate for work.
He's been looking for six months now. "I need a job. I can't take care of my family. I don't know what to do."

Opponents say this is about maintainig Virginia's reputation for being friendly to business. The federal money would have run out in two years, and then the state might have had to raise taxes on businesses.

"I voted for the stimulus bill," says Democratic Congressman Gerry Connolly of Fairfax. "That bill was supported by the US Chamber of Commerce and almost every business group in the United States of America," he told reporters outside a news conference called by House of Delegates Democrats outside a job center in the Alexandria portion of Fairfax County.

Virginia Democrats are hammering the Republican majority in the House of Delegates. They say if the Commonwealth had accepted the federal money, it could have helped another 8-thousand unemployed workers and their families.

"One the one hand, we're disappointed." says Democratic caucus chair Ken Plum of Fairfax. "On the other hand, we're disgusted. This is 125 million dollars that could have gone to the people of Virginia who need it most."

The state's unemployment offices are bursting, with 300-thousand unemployed, and a jobless rate of more than six and a half percent. "I would ask them to please reconsider," said unemployed mom Marilyn Cole.

"I'll take just about anything," says Donald Milne of Dumfries, who was laid off by a supermarket.

The legislature is unlikely to re-visit the issue. But Democrats are all but certain to make it a big focus in upcoming races for the House of Delegates and governor.