Texas Insider

1:21 pm CST - March 25, 2009

Legislators to Debate Stimulus Funds for Unemployment Insurance at TPPF Policy Primer

AUSTIN – The benefits and detriments of accepting federal stimulus funds for unemployment insurance will be discussed at the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s March 26th Policy Primer, “Stimulus Funds for Unemployment Insurance: Accept or Reject?”

Texas’ economy stands at a crossroads in choosing whether to accept all or some of the federal economic stimulus funds. Of all the policy areas affected by the federal stimulus package, few evoke as much energy and intellectual debate as the area of unemployment insurance (UI). This matter directly affects the way we do business and the state of Texas’ economy.

Four key legislators involved in this debate will share their unique perspectives in a discussion moderated by The Honorable Talmadge Heflin, Director of the Foundation’s Center for Fiscal Policy and former Chairman of the Texas House Appropriations Committee.

The Policy Primer will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 26th in the Legislative Conference Center (Capitol Extension, Room E2.022A).

WHAT: Policy Primer – “Stimulus Funds for Unemployment Insurance: Accept or Reject?”

WHO:
Rep. Craig Eiland – Speaker Pro Tem; Member, House Committee on Appropriations and House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding
Rep. Dan Gattis – Member, House Committee on Technology, Economic Development & Workforce
Rep. Kelly Hancock – Member, House Committee on Insurance
Rep. Mark Strama – Chairman, House Committee on Technology, Economic Development & Workforce

WHEN:
Thursday, March 26, 2009
8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

WHERE:
Legislative Conference Center
Texas Capitol, Extension Room E2.022A

About the Texas Public Policy Foundation: TPPF is a non-profit, free-market research institute based in Austin, Texas.

4 Comments

Thomas L Hart
4:40 pm CST
March 25, 2009

Not only should these funds be rejected, but this session needs to take the TX Soverignty bills out of committee and pass them. That is another means of protecting Texans from the overeaching Federal Government and its demands on honest hardworking Texans

Jacqueline Anstrom
5:05 pm CST
March 25, 2009

We should not accept this money designed for unemployment benefits. It’s not that I want to harm any person that has lost their employment in this manufactured economic downturn.
I do not want Texas to be wrapped up in the strings that are attached to taking this money. As the bill is written these monies will be good for a year and then it will be up to the states to maintain that level of compensation. This is insanity. It will put a financial strain on Texas’ budget for years to come.

We need to get HCR 50, 66 and 76 out of committee. These bills represent the people of Texas’ desire to declare sovereignty and if necessary nullification. Hopefully these bills will dissuade the Federal Government from encroaching on the freedom’s of all Texans.

Please stop the spending….stop the insanity that seems to be spreading out to each of the states from Washington DC.

Sincerely,
Jacqueline A. Anstrom

Peggy Venable
8:39 pm CST
March 25, 2009

It is imperative that Texas take the position that any stimulus funds which come with strings attached. We should not grow state programs and obligate taxpayers for more spending when the stimulus dollars are gone.

Legislators should stand firm on this and any “new math”to deny that enlarging the eligibility for unemployment would cost Texas more in the future is — dare I say it — voodoo economics.

Walter Meyer II
2:43 pm CST
March 25, 2009

I respectfully disagree with your opinions. A former governor of texas helped create this economic mess and it is hurting countless texas citizens very badly! I have a college education and advanced technical skills combined with over 25 years of experience in the I.T. field and I have been unemployed for over a year ! I really need this stimulus extension of benefits, or I’ll be on the street corner with a begging sign !

It’s time to worry about the working man – not the big business !