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.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry last week announced that he turned down $555 million of federal stimulus funding that would expand the state's unemployment benefits. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has said he would not accept nearly $100 million to expand unemployment benefits. And South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has said he only wants to use the federal money to pay down debt.
Other Republican governors including Charlie Crist of Florida and Arnold Schwarzenegger of California have welcomed the stimulus bounty.
Palin's rejection of $160 million for education drew a rebuke from Anchorage Superintendent of Schools Carol Comeau, who said she was shocked and disappointed.
"We believe that we can make very good use of the funds, not only in job preservation but also in adding new positions to ultimately use these funds to increase student achievement for our neediest children," she said in a news release.
Comeau pointed to money that would have gone into training for special education teachers and additional programs and support for needy preschool children.
The governor has until April 3 to formally request funds from the stimulus package. It's unclear if legislatures are under the same deadline but Alaska lawmakers likely will stick to the same date to be safe.
Overall, Palin rejected almost $288 million and many, such as Senate Finance Committee Co-ChairmanBert Stedman, were surprised.
"I think the Legislature will take a good hard look at the impact on Alaska," said Stedman, a Republican. "The governor might have a broader view."
With so little time left before the April 3 deadline, Stedman expects the Legislature will ask for the full amount, and if they determine later that it would have adverse long-term impacts on the state, to decline it then.
Alaska has been somewhat cushioned from the effects of the global recession, but the state faces a $2.6 billion deficit over this year and next from low oil prices and declining oil production on the North Slope. Oil makes up about 90 percent of state revenues.
Sen. Hollis French, a Democrat, said the governor was breaking with a long tradition in Alaska.
"The state has made its business to get as many federal dollars as possible to help us create an infrastructure and build our state," he said. "I just really think the governor made a mistake here."
Palin on Thursday sent a spending bill to the Legislature laying out funding for capital projects that she is willing to accept, on top of the $262 million transportation stimulus spending bill that is already under debate.
The additional money Palin said she would accept includes $116 million for a University of Alaska Fairbanks research vessel, $68 million for water and sewer projects, $39 million for public housing projects and $21 million for education and job training.
Palin did not request funding for energy efficiency and conservation block grants, an expansion of unemployment insurance eligibility, weatherization money, employment services, among others.
The five-member conservative Republican minority in the Senate supported the governor's decision. Sen. Con Bunde, a Republican, compared the package to having too much to drink.
"A good time may be had by all, but the hangover the next day, and the consequences of what you did while you were drunk, may be with you for a long, long time," Bunde said.
Palin said she was acting in the best interests of Alaskans but Democratic Rep. Les Gara questioned the motives of the former Republican vice presidential candidate.
"I read it that she's going to be running for national office and has a campaign position that unfortunately conflicts with the state's interests," he said.
**************************************
Life is the continual demonstration of the power of thinking positive and having faith.
"...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..."
Do you get it, Sable?
It seems that Alaska has been run prudently and doesn't need the money. You have to give Sarah credit for that.
*****
You can borrow from the Devil
You can borrow from a friend
But the Devil will give you twenty
When your friend only got ten
- Ramblin Jack Elliot
Check out her approval #'s...LOL! The LOrd Obama..May He Be Praised....may soon try to recruit her since his #'s are starting to suck and the Democrat's in congress #'s are lower than the Nazi war criminal's #'s in Israel! But...keep on trying hamsters, you'll get someone to believe you (for a while)...it worked when Obama did it, but there again he hooked you and your ilk didn't he! LOL!
The language of priorities is the religion of Socialism.....Aneurin Bevan
"Refusing unemployment money, though, will guarantee them a return to the civilian sector."
Believe it or not bimbo everyone isn't standing there with a head full of ignorance and both hands out for government dollars....but that's all you know and thus all you believe! Eat a HoHo (or ten) and chill out!
The language of priorities is the religion of Socialism.....Aneurin Bevan
....has her at 61% approval, skippy......slightly lower than many polls have President Obama at right now....and MUCH lower than she started out with in AK (90%).
Put your money where your mouth is, sue. I'll bet that any governor (with the exception of those who don't have to worry about re-election...like Perry) that has turned down stimulus money will NOT be re-elected and WILL have people from that state protesting.
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
-Albert Einstein
Pfffft....not every state has people worried about it.
Im sure you are aware of the unemployment figures, the amount of people that have been out of work for over a year, and how many would benefit from extended benefits. Little things like paying the mortgage, feeding their kids, staying off welfare. Keep them afloat for a little while longer and hopefully they can find a job, any job at all. Its not a hand out. Its survival and its necessary in every state across nation. Also...any laws that would need to be enacted are reversible once the emergency payments end. Nothing would be permanent and it doesnt cost the state anything.
Oh...I get it. Trust me. I might not get YOUR way of looking at things but from where Im sitting.....I get it.
**************************************
Life is the continual demonstration of the power of thinking positive and having faith.
Im sure you are aware of the unemployment figures, the amount of people that have been out of work for over a year, and how many would benefit from extended benefits.
I said not every state is worried about it. In some states the mindset is different, and the population understands what one deal might mean to another.
~~life isn't about how to survive the storm but how to dance in the rain~~
When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends.
Japanese Proverb
"slightly lower than many polls have President Obama at right now....and MUCH lower than she started out with in AK (90%)."
LOL! That's not right bimbo and your extra large ass knows it...her #'s are higher than Obama's and much much higher than Pee-Low-See's...who's #'s are at 18% and sinking! Face it idiot....people have begun to wake-up and realize he and his troop of fools are in wayyyyy over their socialist-wanna-be heads! Eat yourself a box or two of Little Debbie cakes and try to relax....heavy/big people (like yourself) shouldn't exert themselves too much...
The language of priorities is the religion of Socialism.....Aneurin Bevan
The truth is, everyone in this state realizes that Saint Sarah is trying to wedge herself onto the national stage.. She doesn't give a shit about the state of her origin.
Beware of strangers bearing gifts. A few of the nations governors are taking that old saw to heart. Theyre having second thoughts about how much of the fiscal stimulus pie they want to accept after noticing some of the strings attached.
If youre running a state in this economy its hard to turn down what looks like free money. The New York Times reports that six governors are thinking of doing just that. The problem? Some of the money is targeted to programs that potentially lock the states into increased benefits.
Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana announced Friday that he would reject a portion of expanded unemployment benefits that would eventually require the state to raise taxes on businesses.
And the governors of Alaska, Idaho, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas have said their states may not want to meet the conditions that accompany the money or expand programs that will have to be paid for by the state once the stimulus money runs out.
You may get yourself out of a temporary budget hole, but create another budget hole in the next 24 months, said Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina, who like Mr. Jindal and Gov. Rick Perry of Texas is considered a potential candidate for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012.
Much of the reticence seems to come from the structure surrounding increased unemployment benefits, though one of the governors, C. L. Otter of Idaho, was less than pleased that the transportation segment of the bill requires the expenditure of 3% of the money on transportation enhancement He said that, I never imagined that Congress would tell the state of Idaho that they had to spend $5.5 million on bike paths or pedestrian lanes.
Given the complexity of the legislation and the speed with which it was rushed through, the governors are urging other states to study it closely to determine the long-term impacts to their budgets. The question might well be asked as to how many will step up and level with their constituents about exactly what future commitments are being taken on by acceptance of the money. Given the nature of the crisis in many states, the impulse could well be to just take the money and keep quiet about the consequences.
Reviewing Arizonas share of the loot and where it has to go to, I was struck by some of the same things that seem to be troubling the governors. Arizona has a big budget gap to fill and has been cutting spending painfully to fill that hole. The bill in many respects will require some of those cuts to be rolled back in order to qualify for federal government assistance. In the short run thats probably acceptable but the money only flows through 2010.
There are a couple of problems that I see.
First, theres no guarantee that life is going to be all sweetness and light by 2011. Nationally that might work, but the recovery will certainly be uneven. Arizona may well lag given its dependence on housing and construction so if we are still in the soup a couple of years from now and the rest of the economy is looking up, its doubtful that further dollars will be forthcoming. Saddling the state with increased benefits it will have to fund itself at some point is risky.
Second, you are probably permanently inculcating the higher benefits in the budget. Once you promise a benefit, it is devilishly hard to take it away. The price for help at this point in time might well be a significantly higher baseline spending level a couple of years from now.
Isnt there another old saw about looking a gift horse in the mouth? It might be wise to do so. Nothing is free, and that applies doubly when the gift giver is the federal government.
The truth is, everyone in this state realizes that Saint Sarah is trying to wedge herself onto the national stage.. She doesn't give a shit about the state of her origin.
It appears not to matter to about 61% of them.
~~life isn't about how to survive the storm but how to dance in the rain~~
When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends.
Japanese Proverb
The truth is, everyone in this state realizes that Saint Sarah is trying to wedge herself onto the national stage..
---------
At this point, I really don't buy that, but...
IF that's what she is doing, why not? It's what Obama did in his quest for the presidency. Present votes. Not voting. Signing on to any bill he thought would get his name out there, as 'credit' for accomplishments, even though most went nowhere. Giving speeches, networking, etc.. The only thing I see different is that I don't recall Obama ever refusing goverment money. Quite the opposite.
"IF that's what she is doing, why not? It's what Obama did in his quest for the presidency. Present votes. Not voting. Signing on to any bill he thought would get his name out there, as 'credit' for accomplishments, even though most went nowhere. Giving speeches, networking, etc.. The only thing I see different is that I don't recall Obama ever refusing goverment money. Quite the opposite."
Pandering has become such a part of the leftist agenda that they bristle when they think someone could be actually doing something politically for the "right" reason(s) and not to gain partisan advantage! That's why they stooped so low in their attacks on Sarah...she threatens their power, and political power is everything to the leftist...this administration and this congress proves that fact more so now than in any other time in my life...or possibly the history of this country!
Too late to wake-up now...we've all got audience the clowns running the Circus until they burn down the tent!
The language of priorities is the religion of Socialism.....Aneurin Bevan
When the unemployment rate in these Republican naysayer's states is over 15 percent or worse like in Elkhart Indiana lets see what kind of tune they sing.
Remember a politicians first rule is to SAY anything to get re-elected. The few Republican governors who won't take the stimulus unemployment money have
fucked up big time. They actually think they represent the fiscally conservative!!!LOL !!! Wait and see what happens to them in the next election.
Poor stupid Republican fools
" They actually think they represent the fiscally conservative!!!LOL !!! Wait and see what happens to them in the next election.
Poor stupid Republican fools"
It's so great to get advice from a leftist hamster! You need to remember pal that this IS the Democrat's country and everything they do or don't do is reflected in the economy and right now they continue to come-up to the plate and strike out...we'll see what happens in the next elections! Poor stupid Democrat fools!
The language of priorities is the religion of Socialism.....Aneurin Bevan
Do you know why Elkhart's unemployment rate is so high?
Are you aware that a large number of the people in that area work in the RV industry or in auto parts manufacturing?
What in the stimulus bill or in Obama's policies will restore growth to those industries? The answer is Nothing. In fact, his Cap & Trade proposal in the 2010 budget will be the lid on their coffin.
...I wasn't aware that Texas governors could run for more than two terms (you poor, poor, political slaves). Thus, you are correct, and Perry DOES have to worry about his reelection chances, too.
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one. -Albert Einstein
Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum viditur.
This message has been edited by pphhroggie on Mar 22, 2009 2:35 PM
Im sure you are aware of the unemployment figures, the amount of people that have been out of work for over a year, and how many would benefit from extended benefits.
I said not every state is worried about it. In some states the mindset is different, and the population understands what one deal might mean to another.
And what would YOU now about the mindset of the "people" of other states?
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
-Albert Einstein
"...Thus, you are correct, and Perry DOES have to worry about his reelection chances, too..."
And what do you know about the mindset of people in Texas?
*****
You can borrow from the Devil
You can borrow from a friend
But the Devil will give you twenty
When your friend only got ten
- Ramblin Jack Elliot
....enough about PEOPLE in general to know that if Perry refuses the stimulus money, and people in Texas then SUFFER because he does, that he won't be reelected when he tries for that elusive THIRD term.
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
-Albert Einstein
Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum viditur.
Current Topic - Jobless in Alaska? Sarah doesnt care
