Senate Republicans remain split over unemployment benefits

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3/ 1/2011: Radio Story - Senate Republican leaders delay a vote on extending unemployment benefits after some in their own ranks filibuster over the plan

11/ 9/2010: Radio Story - Missouri looks to borrowing money to cover unemployment payment obligations of business.

2/ 2/2009: Radio Story - Missouri is experiencing the highest unemployment rates since 1984, and now the state's unemployment benefit fund is dwindling.

Intro:	Republican leaders in Missouri's Senate put off a vote to extend unemployment benefits as a St. Louis County senator continues to object.
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Wrap:

Actuality:	HBILL163.WAV
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Description: DEMPSEY:"Do you continue to be opposed to House Bill 163?" LEMBKE: "I do." DEMPSEY: "Alright, thank you."

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HBILL163.WAV

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00:04

Description: DEMPSEY:"Do you continue to be opposed to House Bill 163?"

LEMBKE: "I do."

DEMPSEY: "Alright, thank you."

With Senator Jim Lembke's opposition, the Senate ajourned without deciding whether to accept $81 million in federal money.

It would extend jobless benefits up to 20 more weeks for an estimated 23,000 Missourians.

But Lembke says Missouri lawmakers need to send a message to Washington.

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Description: "You have the federal government stealing from this generation and generations to come by spending money they don't have."

Other Republicans and Democrats say if Missouri turns down the money, another state will get it.

Lembke says he will continue to fight the bill every time it comes up.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Andrew Weil.

Intro:	Missouri Senate went home for the weekend leaving in the balance whether they will accept federal funds for benefits for unemployed working Missourians.
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Wrap: With St. Louis County Republican Senator Jim Lembke's opposition, the Senate ajourned without deciding whether to accept $81 million in federal money.

It would change the maximum length for unemployment benefits from 79 to 99 weeks for an estimated 23,000 Missourians.

Lembke says without the extension, Missourians will be more motivated to find work.

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Description: "If they take the extension for 20 weeks they're taking from their neighbor, something that is their neighbors and is not theirs."

Other Republicans and Democrats say turning down the money would be an overall loss to Missouri because another state will get it.

Republican leaders say they will meet over the next week to discuss the bill.

Extended benefits for Missourians run out on April 3rd.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Andrew Weil.

Intro:	Missouri Senate adjourned before noon on Thursday without making a decision on extending unemployment benefits for more than 20,000 Missourians without jobs.
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Wrap: With St. Louis County Republican Senator Jim Lembke's opposition, the Senate ajourned without deciding whether to accept $81 million in federal money.

It would extend the maximum length of jobless benefits from 79 to 99 weeks for Missourians.

Lembke says nearly two years of jobless benefits is too long.

Warrensberg Republican Senator David Pearce sponsors the bill, saying people collecting unemployment would much rather have a job.

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Description: "For those who have a job it's pretty easy to say that's too long, but when you're suffering and you can't find a job that's tough."

Extended benefits for an estimated 23,000 Missourians run out on April 3rd.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Andrew Weil.