Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 4 · column 1 of 3 · from the scan, no model involved
We pointed out a few weeks ago that, excepting Georgia, Virginia is the cheapest state in the nation when it comes to the unemployment premium. Raising the annual tab by $4.50 per employee — which is what the governor is proposing — isn’t going to bankrupt anyone, and would push Virginia from the second-cheapest state in the union all the way to the third spot.
Objecting delegates also took issue with a portion of the bill that would have allowed some workers to pick up benefits even if they turn down a full-time job because they are seeking only part-time work. Gaming the system, they called it.
One can only suppose that there are no single parents or people who are caring for elderly relatives who may only be able to accept part-time work. And if there are, they apparently should be penalized.
The delegates’ rejection of the bill is the end of the line for benefit expansion this year.
And that’s a shame.
Statewide, unemployment is seven percent, up from 6.4 percent in January. It’s not likely to start going the other way any time soon, no matter how business friendly we try to be.
91.1%