Palin rejects nearly 30 percent of stimulus funds

[MiniMe]

JUNEAU, Alaska — It's up to the Alaska Legislature to request hundreds of millions of dollars in federal stimulus funds from the federal government.

Gov. Sarah Palin said Thursday that she would accept only 69 percent of the estimated $930 million dollars that could flow to the state, including $514 million for capital projects and $128 million for a hike in Medicaid reimbursement.

Palin said she would accept money that is "timely, targeted and temporary" and does not create strings that will bind the state in the future.

"I can't attest to every fund that's being offered the state in the stimulus package will be used to create jobs and stimulate the economy, so I'm requesting only those things that I know will," Palin said at a news conference at the Capitol. "Public discussion will have to ensue on all those other dollars that some will say 'you left on the table.'"

Some other Republican governors have also announced reservations about accepting the federal money, particularly when it comes to expanding jobless benefits.

more...

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-national/20090319/Palin.Stimulus/

[onehandle]

1. Say, here's an idea. Let's give Alaska back to Russia. nt

[WI_DEM]

2. If you reject some you should reject all imo.

[MiniMe]

3. I'm sure she said "Thanks but no thanks"

One thing I noticed is that she took all of the money for infrastructure

[Johonny]

4. wait the rejecting the money was like so 3 weeks ago

what next she going to inform us better dead than red?

[MiniMe]

6. A dollar short and a few weeks behind - normal for Sarah

It takes a long time for news to get to Alaska, it probably came by Idatarod.

OK, I love Alaska guys, I vacationed there in 2007. Sometimes a joke is just a joke. I'm posting that in advance. No offense to any Alaskans. :hi:

[medeak]

9. me too... Skagway city council took us in when plane weathered out

Wonderful people..thinking Palin is toast tho.

[Winterblues]

5. We have until April 3rd for the Legislature to override this decision

Whether they will or not I haven't a clue but they are a Republican Majority so not too hopeful. Juneau is losing eighteen teachers and had great hopes that with stimulus money those jobs could be retained. One hundred and sixty million of the funds she is refusing are for Education. Republicans just seem dumber than a bag of rocks when it comes to the economy..I guess that is why the USA is in the shape we are currently in since Republicans have been in almost complete control for a decade or more.

[GoCubsGo]

8. South Carolina also has a republican majority, but...

...most of them HATE our scumbag, asshole governor. As I understand it, there is a somewhat similar situation that has been brewing in the Alaska state legislature. Remember the "Troopergate" battle. That was mostly republican legislators, IIRC. Just saying that all is not lost because republicans are in the majority.

[Horse with no Name]

7. these republican scumbag governors are taking enough

so they don't look like total dickheads to their constituents and trying to tell everyone that "there are too many strings attached to take the rest"...however, they are not taking the entire package and doing their damnedest to set Obama up for failure.
It should be all or nothing. As it is written. As it is designed.