Cash has too many strings, Riley says [Bob Riley] [Ala.] [rejects porkulus unfunded mandates]
The Times, Huntsville, Ala. ^ | 2009-02-24
GOP governors turn down $66M in aid for jobless.
MONTGOMERY - Despite Alabama's rising jobless rate, Gov. Bob Riley on Monday rejected $66 million in the federal economic stimulus funds earmarked to help states fund unemployment benefits.
Riley made the announcement after returning from a National Governors Association meeting in Washington, where he and other governors met with President Barack Obama Sunday night.
An influential legislator accused Riley of playing politics, along with other Republican governors in the South.
But Riley said the stimulus law requires states to change their laws to expand jobless benefits to those who don't normally qualify, such as those who work part time or who leave their job for a "compelling family reason."
Riley said that provision could cause a tax increase on Alabama employers, and potentially their employees, when the stimulus dollars expire.
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