On Sunday, Governor Sonny Perdue told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he may not accept some of the stimulus funds because they may not be in the long-term interest of the state. But Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond says even though it would require changing state law, he supports accepting $220 million dollars in federal stimulus money geared to unemployment benefits.
He says he plans to introduce two amendments to Georgia law this week to pave the way for federal stimulus money. One will change Georgia's requirements on part-time workers receiving unemployment benefits. The other would change job training rules.
Thurmond calls accepting the stimulus money "prudent," because it would help the state's unemployment fund remain solvent.
He says more unemployed people may become eligible for benefits-
And that's good news for employers, according to Thurmond. He says if Georgia's unemployment trust fund runs out, the state would be required to raise employer taxes immediately.
He says he plans to introduce two amendments to Georgia law this week to pave the way for federal stimulus money. One will change Georgia's requirements on part-time workers receiving unemployment benefits. The other would change job training rules.
Thurmond calls accepting the stimulus money "prudent," because it would help the state's unemployment fund remain solvent.
He says more unemployed people may become eligible for benefits-
"… if you really look at the impact it would be very, very miniscule. And at the end of the day accepting the money, in my opinion, will actually be of great benefit to Georgia because it would allow us to stabilize our trust fund …"
And that's good news for employers, according to Thurmond. He says if Georgia's unemployment trust fund runs out, the state would be required to raise employer taxes immediately.
