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Texas Gov. Rejects $556M Stimulus for Jobless

Perry says coverage for unemployed would 'drown' businesses

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 13, 2009 6:26 AM CDT

(Newser) – The governor of Texas has rejected $556 million in federal stimulus money for the state's unemployed, saying yesterday it had too many strings attached, reports the Dallas Morning News. Rick Perry, a Republican, said that the federal rules would burden Texas businesses with new commitments; instead they should be able to use the money to create jobs. While conservative groups applauded the decision, Democrats said the governor was abandoning the state's jobless for political gain.

The federal stimulus money would update unemployment benefits to include more women, older Americans, and students who don't qualify for coverage under current Texas rules. "We can take care of ourselves," Perry told Fox News, adding, "This was pretty simple for us." But Ed Rendell, the Democratic governor of Pennsylvania, called Perry's decision "a terrible call. It is based on politics." Adds an analyst: "Texas covers the smallest percentage of unemployed workers of any state," leaving four out of five jobless without benefits.

Rick Perry plans to turn down $555 million for state unemployment benefits, saying the money would have required the state to keep funding the expanded benefits after the stimulus money ran out.
Rick Perry plans to turn down $555 million for state unemployment benefits, saying the money would have required the state to keep funding the expanded benefits after the stimulus money ran out.   (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Texas Gov. Rick Perry introduces the state's comprehensive bioenergy strategy during a news conference Monday, July 9, 2007, in Houston.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry introduces the state's comprehensive bioenergy strategy during a news conference Monday, July 9, 2007, in Houston.   (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)
Texas Gov. Rick Perry answers a question during a news conference Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008 in Houston. After seeing the state hit by three hurricanes, Perry promised to enlist state agencies to clean up debris, help with housing shortages and figure out how to respond to future storms.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry answers a question during a news conference Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008 in Houston. After seeing the state hit by three hurricanes, Perry promised to enlist state agencies to clean up...   (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Governor Rick Perry, at podium, stands surrounded by Chambers County Officials during a news conference on the county courthouse steps, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008, in Anahuac, Texas. Governor Perry took an aerial tour of the devastation caused by Hurricane Ike, we want people of these smaller counties to know that...
Governor Rick Perry, at podium, stands surrounded by Chambers County Officials during a news conference on the county courthouse steps, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008, in Anahuac, Texas. Governor Perry took...   (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Rick Perry plans to turn down $555 million for state unemployment benefits, saying the money would have required the state to keep funding the expanded benefits after the stimulus money ran out.
Rick Perry plans to turn down $555 million for state unemployment benefits, saying the money would have required the state to keep funding the expanded benefits after the stimulus money ran out.   (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 28 comments
bacimom
Mar 16, 2009 11:53 PM CDT
Nuts, Kehn... maybe not the rules of Jesus, but the language certainly.
AdaptAndOvercome
Mar 16, 2009 5:32 AM CDT
Being that I'm a Texan, I think Rick Perry is an idiot who lives in tax payers home, gets tax payer health care and like the rest of the GOP, just doesn't get it. He recently started calling his own GOP member Kay Bailey Hutchinson---Kay Bailout Hutchinson. Sounds like he's getting scared...the writing is on the wall...he's on his way out. She's picked up his major supporters and backers since she announced that she'd be running against him. The only sad part, is she like John Cornyn are also playing party politics and voted against the stimulus. How sad...they'll keep cutting programs to help those in need like education, healthcare, the elderly and crime rates will go up and up like they are and everyone will blame everbody except those who can actually make the difference....the party in charge. Maybe they need to be shown the door just like George Bush and his party.
Guest
Mar 14, 2009 7:13 AM CDT
I'm no deadbeat. I was homeless from 12 years old to 17. I would have worked if I had a place to stay.

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