Why Barbour says he's turning down unemployment $

[DeltaLitProf]

He says he won't take it because Mississippi would be obliged, before taking the $50 million for unemployment benefits, to change its laws. Is this actually true? Other Republicans in our state are dutifully making that case, too. See Right-wing MS Rep. Greg Snowden here on his clarion-ledger blog:

"Prof -- The so-called "Clyburn amendment" to the stimulus bill relates to whether governors may simply refuse stimulus funds. If they try to do this, there is a joint resolution process by which the legislatures can overrule the governor if they so chose. That, precisely, is the "end-run" Clyburn engineered.

But -- and please pay attention here -- this is NOT that situation. In order to be eligible to even consider accepting the relatively small fraction of stimulus monies in question here, Mississippi statutory law would have to be changed to pay unemployment compensation to part-time workers. As with all legislation, this would require the legislature (both houses)to pass a bill, subject to the governor's signature or veto.

These four governors are not objecting to taking the stimulus monies per se -- what they object to is making a permanent change in their state's laws to change the way the unemployment compensation system works. The so-called "Clyburn amendment" does not stretch that far. The Congress can entice and cajole the states to change their laws, and in certain areas Federal law may preempt state law, but as a general proposition, Congress cannot dictate to states that they must change their law. Congress can (as here) placed "strings" on whether Federal money is available if the states do not change the law as contemplated. But, the process for changing the statues is the same as always. That is why we have a Constitution."

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=PluckPersona&U=f9232df91a5c4711842d6b139e76c5d3&plckController=PersonaBlog&plckScript=personaScript&plckElementId=personaDest&plckPersonaPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3af9232df91a5c4711842d6b139e76c5d3Post%3a3ae50b58-55fe-4bc0-9fb9-7b165b91b5b4&plckCommentSortOrder=TimeStampAscending&sid=sitelife.clarionledger.com

I am unable to trust the word of anyone from the Mississippi GOP. Is he right when he says states much change their laws to receive this money? Is Mississippi a special case, or does this situation apply to all other states too?

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

1. I'm no legal expert, but I'm pretty sure he's bullshitting you all.

At least Jindal threw up a strawman that had some grounding in reality.

[madokie]

7. Considering he's a lying sack of shit I have to agree with your statement

I feel for the people of Mississippi. This is coming from someone who had the mis fortune to have had fRank keating as a governor for eight long fucking years.

a couple links in case anyone wants to know where I come from on this.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/09/mccain-co-chair-calls-oba_n_133369.html
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/09/mccain-surrogate-raises-obamas-past-drug-use/

Even though they deny it now I believe this frank and charles keating are in fact of the same parents. Often I look for this info and one day I feel I'll find the ties and when I do I will post it here.

[sandnsea]

2. They get incentives if they update their laws

to allow people to collect if they get a part-time job that pays less than their unemployment, or if they had to leave work because of family reasons.

Most parts of the country the government really does work for the people. In some parts of the country, people wouldn't hate the government so much if they would stand up and make the government work for them.

http://www.workforce.com/section/00/article/26/18/65.php

[Traveling_Home]

3. Simple answer - Yes nt

[Thothmes]

4. On Meet the Press, Sunday,

Jindal of LA. said the same thing. Then based on the requirements of the program his state would be required to change its law. Once the Federal money ran out in a two years or so, Louisiana would be required to raise taxes to meet the mandated funding requirements.

[Selatius]

5. Tennessee's governor is threatening the same thing, but that governor is a Democrat.

Of course, in the heart of Dixie land, a Democratic governor may not be too far removed from a Republican governor in terms of economic policy.

[acmavm]

6. Fine, give Mississippi nothing. Sorry folks, your gov is an asshole and

it should be a package deal, not pick and chose.

[conscious evolution]

8. Asswipe perdue in georgia

is saying he wants to turn it down because it would require raising premiums for unemployment insurance for employers.

[Vinca]

9. The Republicans are writing Democratic campaign commercials. nt

[jpak]

10. Barbour the Hut had no problem taking Katrina money

hip-o-krit