Democrats push Barbour to accept stimulus money

The Clarion-Ledger, 3/10/9

A group of Democrats in the state Senate wants to vote on legislation that urges Gov. Haley Barbour to accept all of the federal stimulus dollars available to Mississippi.

Eleven Democrats encouraged Senate leaders Monday to allow consideration of Senate Resolution 615. The resolution has stalled in a Senate committee.

Barbour is one of a handful of governors, mostly Republicans, who have voiced reluctance to accept all of the money.

At issue in Mississippi is about $50 million to expand unemployment pay to part-time workers.