In this economic crisis, any responsible lawmaker should jump at the chance to improve their state’s economy while lending a hand to those who’ve lost their jobs – especially if it won’t cost state government a dime. Sadly, Virginia Republicans are out to prove that they’re anything but responsible.

Republicans in the House of Delegates yesterday rejected two small changes to the state’s unemployment system that would unlock $125 million in extra federal stimulus money.

In order to accept the money, Gov. Kaine proposed temporarily allowing part-time workers to receive benefits and extending eligibility for laid-off workers in job training programs. In return, the state would have $125 million pumped directly into the economy, and the Virginia families hardest-hit by the recession (those who have lost their jobs) would get a little bit of extra relief. And, by encouraging workers to seek job training, the changes would also encourage new business development by improving the quality of its workforce.

Since the state budget would not shoulder any of the financial burden for the plan, it was clearly a win-win proposition. DLCC Finance Chairman and State House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong saw it that way and spoke in favor of the plan prior to the vote:

"It's a defining moment as to whether or not you're for the average guy who's out there struggling and the average small business that's trying to stay afloat."

But despite Virginia’s unemployment rate doubling in the last year, state Republicans voted against the plan on party-line votes in both the State House and Senate. Initially, many observers thought the plan might receive significant Republican support, but even some Republicans who promised to support the measure voted against it.

One GOP lawmaker even promised to support the plan because it would help the 45 employees he recently laid off at the business he owns. But in the end, he voted with the rest of his caucus to hang his former employees out to dry, along with the rest of his state.