The Clarion-Ledger Editorial, 2/24/9
There can be political debate over whether the new $787 billion federal stimulus package will help the economy or whether it is an ineffective exercise in more government spending.
But the stimulus package is law and states now should be trying to figure out how the massive federal aid package fits in aiding its particular economic problems.
Unfortunately, the partisan debates continue.
Gov. Haley Barbour and a group of Republican governors led by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal have said they do not want to take part of the federal stimulus funding to expand unemployment compensation. The provision deals with a plan to provide benefits to part-time workers and victims of domestic abuse.
The governors have said they are concerned that the provisions would lead to expansion of the program, which would eventually could lead to increasing what is paid by employers.
