Democratic Party of Virginia: Senate Passes Bill to Put Virginians Back to Work
- 9 Senate Republicans Say 'No' to Unemployed Virginians

From the Office of the Democratic Party of Virginia

February 8, 2010

CONTACT: Leigh Anne Collier, 804-644-1966 x225

RICHMOND -- Virginia's Senate -- led by a unanimous vote among Senate Democrats -- passed a bipartisan bill Monday to help put unemployed Virginians back to work by providing extended benefits for job training programs.

SB239 -- sponsored by Republican Sen. John Watkins (R-Midlothian) and co-sponsored by Sens. Mamie Locke (D-Hampton), Roscoe Reynolds (D-Martinsville) and Phil Puckett (D-Tazewell) -- would help make Virginia eligible for $125 million in federal stimulus funds targeted directly to help unemployed Virginians get back to work. The bill would offer 26 weeks of extended benefits to unemployed Virginians who are going through job training programs.

"I'm glad to see the Senate work together on this bipartisan measure to put Virginians back to work," said C. Richard Cranwell, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia. "Under this bill, more Virginians would be able to get the skills they need to find a new job in this tough economy."

Watkins' bill passed by a 31-9 margin, including all 22 Senate Democrats. Nine Senate Republicans voted against the simple measure to put Virginians back to work. Republicans voting 'no' were: Sens. Emmett Hanger (R-Mount Solon), Robert Hurt (R-Chatham) Stephen Martin (R-Chesterfield), Ryan McDougle (R-Mechanicsville), Jeffrey McWaters (R-Va. Beach), Stephen Newman (R-Forest), Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg), Ralph Smith (R-Roanoke) and Frank Wagner (R-Va. Beach)

"It's a shame that these nine Republican senators chose to play politics instead of standing up for the thousands of Virginians who are looking for jobs," Cranwell continued. "With unemployment at record levels, all Virginians should come together on bipartisan solutions that put our citizens back to work."

After today's passage, the bill will move on to the Republican-controlled House of Delegates.

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