At least some of the governors are being cautious.
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, a potential 2012 GOP presidential candidate, has suggested his state may not be interested in all of the roughly $4 billion allotted to it in the economic stimulus package to be signed by President Obama today.
“We’ll have to review each program, each new dollar to make sure that we understand what are the conditions, what are the strings and see whether it’s beneficial for Louisiana to use those dollars,” Jindal said.
“I would call for a veto, absolutely. And you know, let’s do this right, understanding there is going to be some kind of stimulus package. There’s going to be some kind of attempts for economic recovery. I’d say construction projects that put people to work — that fits the bill, but these big, huge, expanded social programs, where we’re adding more people to the rolls — and then the economic stimulus package dollars from the feds are going to dry up at some point. States then are going to be beholden to these programs. We will have to pay for them. That’s not right. That’s not fair. And we just want to make sure that whatever it is that’s passed makes sense for our states, for the residents of our individual states.”
South Carolina’s Mark Sanford:
A handful of Republican governors are considering turning down some of the money from the $787 billion package.
But Sanford told FOX News his state is still “looking at the pros and cons” of the bill and combing through the “fine print” to see what would benefit South Carolina residents.
Rick Perry of Texas:
“My concern is there’s going to be commitments attached to it that are a mile long,” said Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who considered rejecting some of the money but decided Wednesday to accept it. “We need the freedom to pick and choose. And we need the freedom to say ‘No thanks.”‘
I wish they would all either send it back, or take it and give it out to the taxpayers who are going to have to pay back what’s been borrowed. I’m sure they’re not allowed to do the latter, but it seems like the fairest response to this mess.
Wouldn’t that be a great way to stand up for the taxpayer and future generations…send it back. I already know California won’t. I think they factored the federal money into the new budget. So we will get dinged twice…paying back the federal stimulus package and California is raising taxes. My anger has turned into numbness. I am that person walking around looking completely dazed.
The sheer size of the stimulus is mind-numbing, isn’t it? I’m so glad at least some of the governors are considering turning money down. When so many economists oppose the stimulus in its current form, shouldn’t that raise red flags?! At this point, all I can do is pray for the country.
BTW, I enjoy your blog. I’m new to the book-blogging community and yours is a new fave–on my blog roll!