Tennessee's unemployment rate in January was 8.6%, up from 7.6% in December and 5.3% in January of 2008. The national unemployment rate in January was 7.6%.

Area unemployment rates:

• Anderson County: 8.4%
• Blount County: 9.2%
• Knox County: 6.6%
• Loudon County: 7.9%
• Union County: 9.5%

Source

Sen. Lamar Alexander, who is from Blount County where unemployment hit 9.2%, voted against the stimulus bill that provides additional unemployment benefits. So did Rep. John Duncan, who represents Blount, Knox and Loudon counties. So did Rep. Zach Wamp, who represents Anderson and Union counties.

Gov. Bredesen considered rejecting unemployment benefits included in the stimulus package.

State Rep. Brian Kelsey (R-Memphis) introduced HR150 urging the governor "to refuse to accept certain funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act related to unemployment insurance benefits." The bill is cosponsored by:

• Harry Brooks (R-Knoxville)
• Stacey Campfield (R-Knoxville)
• Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville)
• Eric Watson (R-Cleveland)
• Susan Lynn (R-Mt. Juliet)
• Eric Swafford (R-Pikeville)
• Debra Maggart (R-Hendersonville)
• Richard Floyd (R-Chattanooga)
• Jon Lundberg (R-Bristol)
• Joe Carr (R-Lascassas)
• Jimmy Eldridge (R-Jackson)
• Tony Shipley (R-Kingsport)
• Vance Dennis (R-Savannah)
• Matthew Hill (R-Jonesborough)
• Glen Casada (R-Franklin)
• Gerald McCormick (R-Chattanooga)
• Mike Bell (R-Riceville)
• Joey Hensley (R-Howenwald)
• Phillip Johnson (R-Pegram)
• Curtis Johnson (R-Clarksville)
• Jimmy Matlock (R-Lenoir)
• Curtis Halford (R-Dyer)
• Beth Harwell (R-Nashville)