She's Rejecting Stimulus $ Now

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[InJuneau]

So, she's rejecting 45% of the Stimulus Bill $ that was slated for Alaska why?  Probably so she can say, "I said thanks but no thanks to that there bad stimulus money so our childrens won't be havin' to pay for our spending habits and stuff , dontcha know and also youbetcha too..."

And, the biggest chunk she's rejecting?  (SPIT TAKE WARNING, swallow first...)  Oh yes, your favorite and mine, albeit not hers...EDUCATION!

Palin rejecting federal stimulus money

From Sean Cockerham in Juneau –

Gov. Sarah Palin just told reporters that she’s accepting only 55 percent of the federal economic stimulus money being offered to Alaska. The governor said that she will accept only about $514 million of the $930 million headed to the state.

“We are not requesting funds intended to just grow government. We are not requesting more money for normal day-to-day operations of government as part of this economic stimulus package. In essence we say no to operating funds for more positions in government,” Palin said.

The biggest single chunk of stimulus money that Palin is turning down is $160 million for education. There’s also $17 million in Department of Labor funds (vocational rehabilitation services, unemployment services, etc.), about $9 million for Health and Social Services and about $7 million for Public Safety. The full list and the specifics aren’t available from the governor’s budget department yet.

[futurexpat?]

I am not sure that she actually can do this, but that doesn't stop some of them from trying. I think they know this, but all the bloviating gets them attention they crave. That's what Jindal and Sanford are about, too. 

[InJuneau]

Yeah, she said:

Palin said she’ll work with the Legislature if it decides that it wants to go ahead and accept the money (although she didn’t rule out vetoes). But the deadline for the Legislature to decide could be April 3. Legislators from both parties said, if that is the deadline, it doesn’t leave them much time to sort through it all.

Then she can just blame the Legislature for taking the money when she said "thanks but no thanks" and "attempt" to look good to fiscal conservatives...

[futurexpat?]

I think there's a loophole, and they all know it, about the legislature overruling the governor when this happens. So, you are right, she's talking out of both sides of her mouth.

[Irishgirl]

Yeah, she said:

Palin said she’ll work with the Legislature if it decides that it wants to go ahead and accept the money (although she didn’t rule out vetoes). But the deadline for the Legislature to decide could be April 3. Legislators from both parties said, if that is the deadline, it doesn’t leave them much time to sort through it all.

Then she can just blame the Legislature for taking the money when she said "thanks but no thanks" and "attempt" to look good to fical conservatives...

It's not too hard to see what she is playing at. Turning down money intended for education though is terrible. I was reading some comments from ADN and she just might have lost a few votes there.

[Rob in Ca]

More nonsense about being fiscally conservative...
Meanwhile, the rest of us taxpayers are supporting the state of Alaska and have been for years, both in the federal taxes we pay that go to Alaska and also due to the cost of the fuel pumped out of Alaska that is so heavily taxed by the state.
On top of all that, now Sarah is undermining the economy of the entire nation!  It is important that the stimulus dollars be spent, and spent as quickly as possible, because those dollars are meant to jump start the economy and put people back to work.  Unfortunately, in her 6 colleges Sarah apparently was never introduced to Keynesian economics.
Quit grandstanding and spend the money, Sarah, for the benefit of the country and also for the benefit of your residents in Alaska, many of whom are hungry and cold, we hear.  Then once the economy turns around, we will look forward to seeing you run your state on the taxes you produce, instead of running it off the taxes I pay.

[Erin]

I'm so mad about this right now, I can't think straight.  I'll calm down and then respond.

[InJuneau]

Erin, I think the photo in your avatar says it all.

[Erin]

Juneau: 

From a letter sent from Superintendent Carol Comeau:

Included in the governor’s proposal is the refusal of $12.9 million for Title I programs and $12.9 million for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and special education programs for the Anchorage School District.  “We’re shocked and very disappointed that the governor said she would reject the education stimulus money for Title I and IDEA programs. 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.

By all means, let's take money from poor kids and students with disabilities.  You betcha.

Superintendent Comeau plans to address the governor’s proposal with the Anchorage Caucus, comprised of all Anchorage-area legislators, at its regularly scheduled meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 21 at the Loussac Library.

I might just have to go to that caucus.

[Irishgirl]

Don't get mad, get even.

[akmuckraker]

Thanks, Erin for posting the link to this conversation.  If any of you ever notice that there's a bunch of comments on a post that's about to be knocked off the front page, feel free to redirect the conversation here!

I knew that she was going to do it,....and it still shocked me.  The poll on ktuu is running 55% feel she's justified and 45% don't.  I keep telling myself that Team Sarah must be on to it, because I just can't believe that Alaskans feel that way.  Ugh.

[futurexpat?]

Fifty-five percent approval rating! Ugh is right!. 

[Lani]

Color of Change is sponsoring letters to the 6 governors who are refusing all or part of the stimulus package.  As always, people of color and people in poverty are the most severely impacted by these actions. Here's the link:  http://colorofchange.org/sixgovs/  Perhaps it can help those in Alaska to form their own petition and letter drive.

This is from the email I received: 

First, they attacked the expansion of unemployment benefits--assistance directed to those hit the hardest by the economy. Now they're going further, led by Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina who says he'll block $700 million for schools and public safety in his state. It could mean up to 7,500 teachers in South Carolina losing their jobs....

It's incredible. President Obama's stimulus package provides money for states to help stabilize families and keep the economy moving. Some of that money is to help states extend unemployment benefits for people in dire need of help. There's also money to prevent schools from facing cuts as states tighten their budgets. But a handful of Republican governors--Bob Riley of Alabama, Mark Sanford of South Carolina, Rick Perry of Texas, Sarah Palin of Alaska, Haley Barbour of Mississippi, and Bobby Jindal of Louisiana--are putting politics over people.
 
All six governors have threatened to turn down the unemployment expansion funds, and most critics see their actions as partisan grandstanding. Four are 2012 presidential contenders,4 and one is facing a tough primary challenge for reelection. They all have a vested interest in seeing Obama fail. They're attacking the President's policies to increase their own profile and to cozy up to the most die-hard conservatives. They also claim that taking the stimulus money would leave their states in debt when it runs out in three years. But that argument rings hollow--state legislatures could reduce benefits to pre-stimulus levels at that point.

Now, Gov. Sanford of South Carolina is going further with this political posturing, and there are indications that others may follow. Sanford says he wants to use money meant for schools, health care, and public safety to pay down his state's debt. This would in no way stimulate the economy of South Carolina.

Sanford has said that if he can't use the money to pay down debt, he'll reject it. That would seriously harm South Carolina's economy, affecting everyone in the state--but it would have a disproportionate impact on Black people in the state. Schools in many Black communities in South Carolina already suffer from years of neglect. And in every state where GOP governors are threatening to block stimulus funds, Black unemployment is at least twice the rate of White unemployment.

Although this focuses on S. Carolina, I imagine it's the same in Alaska, with the original inhabitants being particularly hard hit, along with everyone struggling with poverty, unemployment, disability, and failing schools.

Here are some links that might also be helpful:
"Will 6 governors reject stimulus?" Associated Press, 2-19-2009  http://tinyurl.com/bgp3qh
"What part of 'stimulus' don't they get?" New York Times, 2-23-09  http://tinyurl.com/adr8dl
"They're Saying No to the Cash, but Talk Is Cheap," Washington Post, 3-15-09  http://tinyurl.com/d274xx

[0whole1]

If the education etc programs go unfunded because of her action, can her refusal to accept government assistance be grounds to prosecute her for malfeasance in office?

[kymberlydawn]

Greet Anchorage legislators as they convene at Loussac Library for the Anchorage Caucus.

ASD Superintendent Comeau will respond to the rejection of simulus funds inside the building (presumably other community leaders as well).

We’ll be outside to greet our elected officials and send a strong message that we want them to overturn Palin’s unconscionable choice to reject stimulus money.

Gather at 9:30am, 1 hour prior to the caucus meeting. Bring signs and wear warm clothes - you know the drill.

Saturday, March 21, 2009
9:30am - 11:00am
Loussac Library
Anchorage, AK

http://kymberlydawn.wordpress.com/2009/03/20/alaskans-reject-palins-rejection-of-stimulus-money/

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=70978422215&ref=mf

[Erin]

The more I find out about this, the angrier I get.  From a PDF file on the homepage of www.adn.com:

Items not requested:
Administration- COBRA ($1.5) and Violent Crimes Compensation Funds ($0.2)
Commerce- Serve Alaska (formerly AK State Community Service Commission)
Education- Title I ($40.0), Special Education ($34.3), Technology ($3.2), Fiscal Stabilization Base Funds ($93.0), Emergency Food Assistance ($0.05), Homeless Grants ($3.2), Supplemental Nutrition ($0.5), WIC ($0.8), Immunizations ($2.0), Infant Learning ($1.0), Senior Meals (0.5)
Labor- Employment Services (4$.5), Unemployment Insurance ($1.1), WIA ($9.2), Vocational Rehabilitation ($1.8), Trade Adjustment Assistance ($0.4), Independent Living ($0.3)
Public Safety- Online Child Victimization ($0.05), Justice Assistance Grants ($5.8), CDVSA ($0.5), STOP Grants ($0.8)
Revenue- Child Support Enforcement

For the LOVE OF GOD, she's not asking for money for VIOLENT CRIMES COMPENSATION, POOR CHILDREN, STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, FISCAL STABILIZATION, EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE, THE HOMELESS, NUTRITION, WIC, IMMUNIZATIONS, INFANT LEARNING, SENIOR MEALS, THE UNEMPLOYED, INDEPENDENT LIVING, ONLINE CHILD VICTIMIZATION, AND CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT??????

I apologize for the shouting, but I just want to scream in her face.  How can she not see this is WRONG?  What is wrong with her?

[Irishgirl]

Erin,
This woman has no compassion. She foolishly thinks she will be the next President and this is her way of showing how fiscally responsible she is.....it is all about Sarah. She does not care one whit about the residents of Alaska. I want to scream too, and I certainly understand your anger.

 

[Kay503]

Exactly.  By now the majority of Alaskans who aren't "blinded by the light" must have figured out that she's abandoned her leadership role for Alaskans in favor of broader horizons, and that they will pay the price for her ambition -- actually, she abandoned that role about a year ago, when that RNC guy came up to Alaska to test her interest in the Vice-Presidency.

Good gosh, I would hope that the people who are supposed to represent Alaskans are equally clued in -- i.e., the state legislature -- and they take her to task for EVERYTHING that short-shrifts Alaskans -- especially her support of corporate and NRA greed, and her stupid pie-in-the-sky regurgitated old projects.

It really irks me that she specifically denied stimulus funds for education.  The only reason I can think of that she'd do that is that she's wanting a generation of fools coming to maturity as stupid as the ones who are supporting her now, i.e. haraSmaeT (spelled backwards) and nilaP4sevitavresnoC (ditto) through CAPharaS.

[Forty Watt]

I realize that trying to apply any sort of logic to anything this woman does is totally pointless.  At the same time, what is it she's planning to say in 2012?

I said thanks but no thanks to all that money because....

Alaskan children don't need educated; the homeless can manage fine outside in minus whatever degrees; the old don't eat much anyway; victims of crimes should have been more careful----?  What? 

[Irishgirl]

It just beggars belief!