Nevermind! States Guvs accept jobless help

Governors change course

In Nevada, for instance, Gov. Jim Gibbons found himself confronted by state legislators who introduced bills to accept the funds after Gibbons indicated he wouldn't. They chastised him for even considering turning down the $77 million in funds at a time when one in 10 state residents are out of work.

This week, Gibbons became one of the latest governors to sign up for the extended benefits funding as unemployment soars nationwide.

"As our economic crisis deepens, Nevadans are suffering because of layoffs, business closings and other cutbacks," said Gibbons, a Republican. "We have the responsibility to do everything we can to help our unemployed workers get through these difficult times, even if that means passing legislation that we would not necessarily approve during prosperous times."

In Tennessee, Gov. Phil Bredesen made headlines last month when he became one of the few Democratic state executives to question the wisdom of broadening unemployment benefits. His stance prompted local legislators and union leaders to hold press conferences and readers to write letters to state newspapers.

"Absolutely appalling," wrote one Germantown resident to the Commercial Appeal. "I hope the unemployed of Tennessee will write or call the governor to voice their displeasure with his possible refusal of these extended benefits."

The governor ultimately decided to accept the $141 million in stimulus funds.Tennessee's unemployment rate was 8.4% in February. He said it should cover the expanded unemployment benefits for up to six years.

"I took a few days to look at this, to determine just what the long term costs of these benefit improvements would be," Bredesen said in his budget address earlier this week. "You may recall the criticism I took, some of it national, for taking the time to read the fine print. This seems like a good trade off at a time like this, and I recommend that we accept these funds."
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