GOP governors consider turning down stimulus money

[47of74]

Source: Associated Press

BATON ROUGE, La. – A handful of Republican governors are considering turning down some money from the federal stimulus package, a move opponents say puts conservative ideology ahead of the needs of constituents struggling with record foreclosures and soaring unemployment.

Though none has outright rejected the money available for education, health care and infrastructure, the governors of Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alaska, South Carolina and Idaho have all questioned whether the $787 billion bill signed into law this week will even help the economy.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090219/ap_on_bi_ge/bucking_the_stimulus

---

You can always trust Republicans to put the party ahead of the people.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. GOP governors consider committing political suicide

Either that or they are tone deaf when it comes to what the public wants.

[Xipe Totec]

7. Is it really suicide, if you're already brain dead? n/t

[mystieus]

21. ha haha

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

32. Not really. These states vote reliably Repuke. These Repuke governors are in no danger

of losing their offices to Dems.

It's "What's the Matter With Kansas" in the flesh. People will vote against their best interest. It's not a coincidence that these are some of the poorest, neediest states.

"What's the Matter With Kansas" should be required reading for any student of politics.

[kentauros]

73. Texas is "poor and needy"??

I don't think you've looked at our state in the last hundred years to make that statement. For that matter, looked at a list of GDPs for each state.

Although it's wikipedia (and I know how loathsome they are for "source" material around here...) it is a quick and convenient source. If it's not reliable, please point one out to compare.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_GDP_(nominal)

According to that list, two of the five states are in the middle (Louisiana at 24, S. Carolina at 28) two are further down (Mississippi at 35, Alaska at 45) and Texas is second only to California. Where does your home state fall in that list? ;)

[DBoon]

53. You can kill zombies

Somehow, Republicans never die

[wroberts189]

76. hehe ...damned if they do damned if they don't.

But I never knew a pub to turn down free money.

[roguevalley]

77. I hope so. Doesn't the choice to use or not then default to the

legislatures?

[bemildred]

2. Is this supposed to be some sort of "threat"? nt

[SOS]

68. That's all it is, phony political posturing

"Governors like Sanford and Louisiana's Bobby Jindal can burnish their conservative credentials, knowing all the while that their legislatures can accept the money anyway."

"Governors who reject the stimulus aid may find themselves overridden by their own legislatures because of language Clyburn included in the bill that allows lawmakers to accept the federal money even if their governors object.
He inserted the provision based on the early and vocal opposition to the stimulus plan by South Carolina's Republican governor, Mark Sanford."

The phony governors will "reject" the money, then their legislatures will grab every penny they can.

[rpannier]

3. Good for them

Nothing like punching the gas pedal to go over that cliff faster.

I'm surprised that Mitch *Whatever the F*CK his name is* from Indiana isn't turning it down as well.

[lisa58]

4. Sarah isn't gonna take the money? Doubtful.

[muddrunner17]

22. She just wants to say, "Thanks, but no thanks," and still take the money.

[Xipe Totec]

24. Not the brightest crayon in the box

[ThoughtCriminal]

5. I think we're down to 22 GOP Governors

Maybe they will start to notice the trend when it hits 14.

[Arkana]

6. By all means--that'll mean more Democrats getting elected.

Dumbasses. They'll cut off their noses to spite their faces. Maybe that'll mean more money going to other states--Massachusetts could use it.

[Epiphany4z]

8. pppffft fine

They are like spoiled play ground bullies...they don't want our lunch money unless they can beat it out of us....

send the extra to my state.....Ohio sure can use it...

[muntrv]

9. We'll remind them about this when a natural disaster hits their states.

[MikeNearMcChord]

10. If they don't want it, then give the spoils to other states

I bet the Democrat Governors bordering these Morans(freeper speak) wouldn't mind getting some more.

[Thrill]

11. Politics over People. Do any of these idiots actually think this helps them against Obama?

[47of74]

12. Rush Limbaugh probably has them thinking so...

[KansDem]

13. Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, & South Carolina are designated for high speed rail

:wtf:

No federal stimulus money but "thanks" for the high-speed rail???

[catrose]

34. Texas

wants to rebuild the governor's mansion, which was destroyed by fire...because they cut back on security for budget reasons. The poor governor has to live in a $9000/month apartment.

[Confusious]

41. WTF do they need high speed rail for?

They'd probably think is a fast track to jail. No DUers included in that statement. :)

[kentauros]

72. How about we Texas DUers run the GOP out of town

on a high-speed rail

Despite what Gov. Goodhair thinks, I would hope we could get this. The last time we tried, two very powerful lobbies defeated it. That is, SW Airlines and the concrete manufacturers and suppliers. Although a high-speed rail system would certainly use concrete, it wouldn't take nearly as much as that 18-lane monstrosity they just completed for I-10 on the west side of Houston.

[silverweb]

14. I'll believe it when I see it.

It's all talk and posturing. Wait to see what happens very quietly later -- once public attention is turned elsewhere.

[Lasher]

54. Yup.

No doubt about it. I can't believe these knuckleheads are being taken seriously.

[City Lights]

58. Same here. The're making headlines loudly by saying they'll reject it, but once

the microphones are pointed elsewhere, they'll take the money.

[krispos42]

15. Dibs! I call dibs!

Mine! Mine! Mine!

[santamargarita]

16. They only want money they can put in their pockets...

...that nobody knows about. Stimulus money requires accountability.

[pacalo]

49. That may be what Jindal meant when he said he was worried about the "strings attached".

Required itemization of expenditures.

These five 'thugs may be pouting because they can't pocket some of the money off the record.

[Myrina]

17. "some of the money"? ... Uh huh Puglicans - take it or leave it.

:nuke:

And then deal with your constituency when the schools and roads are falling down, garbage is piling up, and unemployment, homelessness and crime skyrockets in your states. Be my guest!!

[rosesaylavee]

18. I have an interesting view into all this.

Part of my job is to read online press articles covering construction projects all over the country. EVERY state has long lists of potential projects - these governors will be INSANE to turn this money down. If they do what is hinted here, there will be riots in the streets. And I am not kidding.

[MadMaddie]

30. I think the term riots will be mild....

I also think that the Repugs do this to the complete demise of their party. Go Repugs governers Go!!

[pacalo]

50. Looking at the New Orleans/Metairie areas, you don't happen to see

a good number of interstate projects (ramps/exits) listed, do you? The morning/noon/afternoon traffic is unbelievable; some re-routing desperately needs to be done to ease the heavy, concentrated congestion. Can you imagine what Mardi Gras traffic is like? :crazy:

[rosesaylavee]

51. Sorry - monitoring vertical construction mostly...

But if any area needed some attention, I would imagine that area is one of the neediest.

[pacalo]

52. Frankly...

New Orleans' streets are deplorable: pot-hole city.

Thanks for your reply, though. :)

[rosesaylavee]

64. I think New Orleans and the region as devastated by Katrina

were specifically mentioned by Obama as areas that were going to receive the attention they needed by his administration. I would be surprised if the stim package didn't begin to address those issues. THAT is if the governors use the gift as given. Idjits if they don't.

[pacalo]

78. Regarding LA's stim money, it may turn out to be an interesting drama between Jindal & Nagin.

Nagin, who could use all the money for N.O. he can get, was reported to be enthusiastic about the money.

Jindal is a hard-liner bootlicker for the Rethug party who will play in sync whatever game they happen to play. He's not one to use his own mind & step out of the box, even for the sake of common good.

[rosesaylavee]

80. And Jindal is probably running in 2012...

Ha. He's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. Hope he does the right thing for his constituents.

[BreweryYardRat]

83. Riots, nothing. I suspect people would bring back tarring and feathering. n/t

[NeoConsSuck]

19. Great News!

We need it here in NY.

And most of those states listed are sucking on the government tit anyway. They take much more from the Federal government every year than their residents pay in Federal tax.

NY, on other hand, pays a lot more to the Feds, than they ever get back.

I had to laugh, when the anti-stimulus argument was why should a Nebraskan taxpayer subsidize a NY state bailout? You have got to be kidding me! When Nebraskans contribute as much as NY taxpayers, then complain.

[waiting for hope]

20. Betcha Californians are going to give

their republican lawmakers the boot:

Still No Budget Deal In California

Chances of a quick resolution to California's budget stalemate appeared to fade Wednesday after Senate Republican holdouts ousted their leader in a midnight coup and promised to resist tax increases that GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says are needed to close a $42 billion deficit.

The Democrat-controlled Legislature appears to need just one more GOP vote in the Senate to reach the two-thirds majority it needs to get the budget to the governor's desk, but that vote may prove impossible to get.

"We don't want to see taxes increased, increasing the tax burden on Californians," Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, R-Murrieta, said Wednesday, hours after he replaced Modesto Sen. Dave Cogdill as Senate minority leader.

The proposal that has been before lawmakers since late last week would use spending cuts, borrowing and $14.4 billion in tax increases to close a projected $42 billion budget deficit through June 2010. As tax revenue has plunged, refund checks to taxpayers have been delayed, payments to state vendors have stopped and the state's credit rating has deteriorated to the worst in the nation, preventing borrowing.

With full support from Democrats, the bill needs three GOP votes in each house to pass. But many Republicans in the Legislature have signed a pledge against raising taxes and have decided to stick to it, even though they have not come up with a plan to close the entire deficit with cuts.

~Snip~

So many of them signed some bullshit "No New Taxes" pledge - really, what a box to put yourself in.

[The Hope Mobile]

25. Hopefully we'll get rid of Ahhhnold anyway.

Oh - and Dana Rohrabacher. Gaaahhh- what a jerk!

[liberal N proud]

23. What possibly could these stupid fuckers think they will achieve

The only thing I can think of is to prolong the depression and hope for political gain in 2010 and 12.

[Turborama]

61. That was the 1st thing that came to my mind. What the fuck? n/t

[buczak]

26. Welfare queen states

Most of these states are welfare states anyways: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alaska,. They get more federal tax receipts than they pay to washington. If they don't want the money, that's fine. These other states are in more need.

[depakid]

27. Oh please, oh please

[Politicalboi]

28. This will probably work for them

Once the rest of the country is doing better their states will probably get better too. These states aren't heavily populated so they will survive on the trickle down theory and their guys will come out smelling like a rose.

[seasat]

29. Most red states feed pretty heavily on Federal $$$ already.

What a bunch of hypocrites. The tax foundation did a study to see which states receive the most bucks from the federal government relative to the revenue collected by the Fed from that state. The ratios of dollars received to dollars given is:

TX 0.94
MS 1.77
AK 1.87
SC 1.38
ID 1.28

Generally, the more Repub the state, the more federal money they consume, the less they pay in. Texas is one of the few exceptions since it is almost even. The top giver states are some of the bluest like CA and NY. NM, a recently turned blue state, still ranks top among the takers, but Alaska and Mississippi are number two and three in rank of net takers. If they want to blow off the stimulus money and screw their citizens, why haven't they turned down the federal bucks in past years? They'll end up taking the aid after making a big fuss demonstrating what hypocrites they are.

[debbierlus]

31. Typical

[The Brethren]

33. I could careless what the republican

governors do regarding the Stimulus bill. When everything is settled about the money from this bill for each state, they, like the dems, will have to answer to their constituents for their involvement in it.

Instead of worrying about the republican governors do, I'll worry about making sure I find and read as much of the stats on this bill as possible. Including how the $787 billion dollars is going to be divided among the state and why (what their criteria they used in deciding which state gets what amounts) And from the info. I'm already finding --- it certainly doesn't look like the hundreds of billions of taxpayers' monies are being handed out equally among all the states. So if governors in any state don't want the money....fine, then maybe TPTB will pass that money on over to the states who look like they're getting the crap end of stick of this deal.



Know what you're paying for. The Stimulus Plan ("American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009"): Orig. House version -- http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/RecoveryBill01-15-09.pdf , House spreadsheet -- http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pV-c6t5fOVmNorqMpHvnCMw ; Senate version -- http://appropriations.senate.gov/News/2009_02_02_The_American_Recovery_and_Reinvestment_Act_of_2009.pdf ; and Senate compromise -- http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-1 , Text and $$$ details of Senate compromise -- http://appropriations.senate.gov/News/2009_02_08_UPDATED_Appropriations_Provisions_of_American_Recovery_and_Reinvestment_Act.pdf?CFID=4043629&CFTOKEN=40573040 . In addition to -- http://readthestimulus.org/amdth1.pdf , along with -- http://www.readthestimulus.org/ . Final version, Feb. 13th, 1500 pgs. worth -- http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/arra_public_review/ , more details on the final version -- http://www.taxpayer.net/resources.php?category=&type=Project&proj_id=1913&action=Headlines%20By%20TCS , including spending -- http://cbs4denver.com/national/Web.government.accountability.2.937188.html

[Wizard777]

35. Time for the local dems to start campaigning.

[Dappleganger]

36. Let them, and then ban them from asking for anymore

for the rest of their terms. As a matter of fact, why don't they just sit in the corner and STFU for the next few years.

[truthisfreedom]

37. They won't turn down the money. They won't delay accepting it. They need it so bad they're shaking.

What a bunch of total losers.

[BlueIdaho]

38. This is no joke!

Idaho's citizens are stuck with these lunatics and its not funny. There is currently bill before the state legislature to remove tenure from the K-12 educational system and limit all teachers to one year contracts - to be awarded each year in July. Turning down these monies helps these rabid ideologues gut the educational system and deny any sort of collective bargaining. These morons will destroy this state so they can cling to their failed policies and circle jerk to a photograph of Ronald fucking Reagan.

These bastards decisions will throw hundreds if not thousands of Idahoans out of work. This is no joke.

[Confusious]

39. DO IT DO IT DO IT!

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[IndianaGreen]

43. I feel the same way. Let the GOP go the way of the Whigs

Frakking morons!

[Piewhacket]

40. They are putting their idiotity ahead of the peoples! Bad robot!

[applegrove]

42. That is what the repukes in California are doing to the needy people there as we speaak. Refusing

tax increases even as the government is about to go under.

[pacalo]

44. They don't mind their taxpayers having to pay for a liar's illegal invasion

with blood & money, but they have a problem using money to better our states' economy & infrastructures.

Jindal & Barbour, in particular, are despicable.

It should get interesting in Louisiana between Ray Nagin, who wants the money, & Jindal.

[snake in the grass]

45. Wow!

I never would have thought that they are that smart! Keep on keeping on, Republicans!

[mopinko]

46. omg they are taking steven colbert's advice seriously

can't find the video here. but he had a great word- the audacity of nope

[lonestarnot]

47. Why isn't AZ on that list? Brewer has brewed a kettle of her concoction too.

[LynnTheDem]

48. EXCELLENT!!! Do it!!! Do it!!! JUST DO IT!!!

Coz you'll be out of your jobs in a heartbeat!

[Earth_First]

55. The first project in the country funded by the stimulus bill went to a GOP district

Puportedly to MO-9

[depakid]

56. "Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alaska, South Carolina and Idaho"

Hey, where's Alabama?

[deacon]

57. Instead of trying to change their image, they are solidfying what they are-idiots.

By sticking to their usual garbage they're showing their whole concept is they want need america and obama to fail to regain power.

[radfringe]

59. It's posturing

pure political posturing

If I were running the Dem spin machine, I'd have ads on every station in those states saying Governor so-so puts politics before people.

[mac56]

60. Vamping. Pointless posturing, merely to attract notice.

Pathetic, really.

[JNelson6563]

62. Good, more for us.

Fuck 'em. Let 'em stand by their party, we've got freezing, hungry people here in MI. Go ahead and forward yours on to us then you fools. And rots o' ruck in the next election.

Julie--preparing lots of blue for next electoral map

[Best_man23]

63. As Ben Stiller put it

DO IT, DO IT....DO IT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoqDYcCDOTg&feature=related

[Thrill]

65. The Arrogant SC Governor now says he will take the money

What a fool.

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, a vocal conservative opponent of the stimulus package who suggested he might decline billions in aid to his state, said Thursday he would reverse course and accept federal stimulus money.

“Being against it doesn’t preclude taking the money,” Sanford said on CBS. “I think there are a number of wrinkles that have caused a number of us to say ‘Wait a minute, let’s take a long look at whether or not this really makes sense for our state.’”

[RBInMaine]

67. HAH you hypocritical WEAKLING ! You just don't DARE to refuse because your own people would run you

out of town on a rail !!

[RBInMaine]

66. YES ! YES ! GREAT NEWS !! Let's see if they dare! Watch them FUCK themselves ROYALLY !!

How much shit do you think they'll get from their people and Mayors and State Legislators and Local City Councils and Building Contractors and School Boards etc. when they find out how much they are going to lose if they refuse the stimulus money. OH I LOVE IT SO MUCH !!!!!

[mike_c]

69. please please PLEASE let them do it!

Pretty please? :rofl:

[ProfessorGAC]

70. This Is Utterly Pathetic

What is with these idiots that "questioned whether the $787 billion bill signed into law this week will even help the economy."

Their understanding of basic macroeconomics is so weak that they don't know that government spending is part of GDP? If the gov't spends more money, it HAS TO add to growth. And, since demand for services goes up, it HAS to require more money to change hands. And, it HAS TO put some extra people to work.

This "resistance" is so stupid that pathetic is the only descriptor i can use.
GAC

[Mari333]

71. good idea. it will backfire. nt

[and-justice-for-all]

74. Oh, good...

I hope this is a wake up call to the people in their states and they get voted out of office!!

[kentauros]

75. And then there were three.

Perry formally requests stimulus dollars

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2009/02/18/dont_publish_yet_just_a_draft.html?cxntfid=blogs_postcards

By Jason Embry | Wednesday, February 18, 2009, 04:08 PM

Gov. Rick Perry sent a letter to President Barack Obama today formally requesting economic-stimulus dollars for Texas.

Here’s the key paragraph: “On behalf of the people of Texas, please allow this letter to certify that we will accept the funds in H.R. 1 and use them to promote economic growth and create jobs in a fiscally responsible manner that is in the best interest of Texas taxpayers. I remain opposed to using these funds to expand existing government programs, burdening the state with ongoing expenditures long after the funding has dried up.”

There has been a ton of talk about whether Perry would seek the money, even though he’s never said outright that he would not. With this letter, he seems to be trying to maintain the same position he stated Tuesday — he’ll gladly take stimulus dollars for what he considers one-time expenses, but doesn’t want to use that money for recurring expenses that the state will have to cut in two years or step in and pay for with state money.

The stimulus plan could inject up to $16.9 billion into the state budget. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the budget will grow by that much. The Legislature will have to pass certain language, such as changes to Medicaid, to get all of the money, and that’s where they’ll enter into this debate about one-time vs. recurring expenses.

[Hekate]

79. What are the plans for some biting political ads in those states? MoveOn? Anyone?

Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alaska, South Carolina and Idaho -- those governors are heinous, and their people should be notified now and reminded next year.

Hekate

[indepat]

81. May all the governors' refusal be accepted: hell, let those Congress-critters in the House

who voted against the stimulus package also be allowed to opt out of receiving funds for their individual districts. Right, Marsha B? :P

[47of74]

82. Yes, let Steve King opt out

Northwest Iowa can go to pot then while the rest of Iowa starts recovering from Bush and his enabler Steve King. Maybe then those Repukes in that corner of the state will see how bad King is for them and the rest of the state and vote the SOB out in 2010.

[Demeter]

84. Oh, Please! Please Don't Take That Money! It Has Cooties All Over It!

And don't throw B'rer Rabbit into that nasty, prickly briar patch, either!