Speaker William Howell (R-Stafford) took exception yesterday to the governor’s comments that Republicans somehow have ignored the unemployed by turning down $125 million in federal stimulus funds (with massive strings attached – basically it forces the state to expand the benefits and keep them, even after federal dollars dry up); comments made by the governor despite benefits being expanded from 26-59 weeks and an additional $62 million of federal stimulus dollars being used from unemployed programs.