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Please tell Gov. Perry he is wrong to reject $555 million that would help unemployed workers
Because of politics and idealogy, Gov. Rick Perry has decided to reject $555 million in federal economic stimulus aid for unemployed Texans. But the fight to help tens of thousands of jobless Texans continues in the Legislature.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Help for Unemployed Workers
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
As a Texan, I am disappointed and baffled that you would reject federal funds that could help tens of thousands of Texas workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.
The $555 million that you have announced you are rejecting would feed these families while they search for new work in the worst economy I have seen in my lifetime. The changes in law required to accept these funds would focus unemployment insurance benefits on low-wage and part-time workers -precisely the Texans who need weekly unemployment benefits the most.
Current law covers about one in five workers who lose their jobs in Texas, putting our state at the bottom. Turning down more than a half-billion dollars that could start to fix that problem makes no sense and raises questions about whether you understand the pain that tens of thousands of workers are going through.
Your decision isn't even in the short- or long-term interest of employers in Texas, who will now be shouldering an additional $555 million UI tax increase come next January.
The people of Texas depend on you to do what's right for the entire state, not just a group of vocal employers who have never seen an employer benefit they can support. Please reconsider rejecting the federal UI funds.
Sincerely,
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