JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Thousands of people in Missouri who have been unemployed for more than a year soon will lose their jobless benefits, marking a significant victory for Republican fiscal hawks who are crusading against government spending.
When eligibility ends Saturday, Missouri will become the only state to voluntarily quit a federal stimulus program that offers extended benefits. Michigan, Arkansas and Florida also recently took steps to cut back on money going to the unemployed, although they targeted state benefits instead.
“We have to take a stand and say, ‘When is enough enough?’ and send a message to the federal government, and hopefully shame them into doing the right thing and quit spending money that they don’t have,” said state Sen. Jim Lembke, a Republican from St. Louis. ..................(more)
The complete piece is at:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2011-03-31-jobless-benefits-missouri.htm