Missouri: Passing up federal funds dumb and indefensible

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri lawmakers could consider extended unemployment benefits and health insurance during floor debates this week.

Thanks a lot, Missouri Senate. Your recent rejection of federal funds for the extension of unemployment benefits for jobless Missourians may be the dumbest, most indefensible, move you've ever made.

First, rejecting the funds does not save the taxpayers any money. Instead of the funds being used to help out-of-work Missourians in these times of high unemployment, the money will be sent to other states for the same purpose. Taxpayers will not save a penny. The federal deficit will not be reduced. Rather, Missouri taxpayers can now rest easy with the knowledge that they are subsidizing unemployment benefits in California and Nevada.