US States Cut / Limit Jobless Limits

Citing concerns about the national debt, a handful of right-wing Missouri state legislators

have blocked a vote to accept federal money to extend unemployment benefits,

effectively cutting financial assistance for more than 10,000 out-of-work residents.

The move, which came despite widespread REPUBLICAN support for extending the benefits,

puts Missouri at the center of a growing national discussion about reining in unemployment benefits

at a time when both the job market and government coffers are in a severely weakened state.

Citing concerns about the national debt, a handful of right-wing Missouri state legislators

have blocked a vote to accept federal money to extend unemployment benefits,

effectively cutting financial assistance for more than 10,000 out-of-work residents.

The move, which came despite widespread REPUBLICAN support for extending the benefits,

puts Missouri at the center of a growing national discussion about reining in unemployment benefits

at a time when both the job market and government coffers are in a severely weakened state.

In recent weeks, Republican leaders in Michigan, Arkansas and Florida have taken steps

to limit their states’ contributions by cutting the duration of unemployment benefits.

But for now Missouri, with an unemployment rate above 9 percent, is the only state

that has stopped accepting dedicated federal money to extend payments to 99 weeks from 79.

A number of states brilliantly never joined when the program was initially offered.

“This is about sending a message to the federal government from the state of Missouri that enough is enough,”

said Jim Lembke, the state senator who, with three other Republicans, is filibustering the legislation. 

And what message would that be, Jim ???

“The federal government is sending us money they don’t have.”

Yeah, dude, except now people who have been out of work for an extended period of time don’t have that money either.

How smart — or human — is that, douche bag ???

Lembke said he also plans to block a vote needed to accept nearly $190 million in federal education money.

This guy is not only wise but full of heart-felt compassion too.

The reauthorization legislation, which was supported by the leadership of both parties, passed by a wide majority in the House

and had been expected to pass easily in the Senate, where a similar extension passed unanimously last year.

Both chambers are controlled by Republicans.

The legislation is supported by Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat.

But senators so far have decided against using a rarely invoked procedure to end debate.

The chamber adjourned without voting on the matter, missing a deadline required for the payments to continue uninterrupted.

“This is the angriest I’ve ever been,” said Jolie Justus, a Democratic senator who gave an emotional speech in favor of extending benefits.

“To tell these thousands of people that they have to get off their backsides and get a job

is so out of touch with what’s going on in Missouri right now.”

In addition to those whose payments will stop immediately,

the Missouri Department of Labor estimated that another 24,000 people would be affected by the end of the year —

totaling $105 million in lost payments.

What a great country the US has become !!!