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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Lawmakers Set to Decide on Extension of Benefits to Military Spouses

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Monday, April 6, 2009   

Richmond, VA - Virginia lawmakers will decide the fate Wednesday of a bill that extends jobless benefits to military spouses when the family moves due to a transfer. LaTonya Reed, a policy analyst for the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, says that because military transfers are mandatory, these 'trailing spouses' are in an unique position.

"If a person in the military refuses a transfer, he or she can be prosecuted and jailed. So if a military spouse wants to keep his or her family intact, they have little choice."

Reed says that Virginia is currently one of only six states that outright deny unemployment benefits to military spouses.

Opposition to the measure focuses on the increased cost to businesses and the bundling of the 'trailing spouses' amendment with other expansions to unemployment benefits. However, Reed notes that federal stimulus dollars would initially cover the cost.

Reed adds that Virginia has a strong military tradition.

"Helping military families bridge financial gaps, we feel that's the least we can do in light of the sacrifice that they make for all of us."

More than 20 military installations are located in Virginia, including Norfolk Naval Station (the largest naval installation in the world), the Pentagon, Langley Air Force Base and Quantico Marine Corps Base.




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