Posted on 02/04/2009 3:06:59 PM PST by redk
Gov. Sarah Palin is opposing the federal stimulus plan. “I agree with the decision of Senator Murkowski and Congressman Young to vote NO on the package,” Palin said in a written statement.
She said she agrees some kind of stimulus plan is needed and supports getting federal money for tax breaks and construction projects in the state. But Palin said she’s “against increased federal programs that will become a state's unfunded mandate to continue funding for generations.”
Palin and Republican state legislative leaders wrote a letter to members of Alaska’s Congressional delegation with that same concern.
(Excerpt) Read more at community.adn.com ...
Alaska Democratic Sen. Mark Begich said he’s pushing for changes to the federal stimulus plan that would allow the state to turn down money if it wants.
Palin hasn’t gone so far yet as to say she’d send money back.
Begich said he’s co-sponsoring an amendment "requiring governors or other appropriate local officials to certify that funds allocated to a state for economic recovery are reviewed to make sure they create jobs or improve the economy."
Begich said the funding needs oversight but Alaska needs the economic recovery in the bill.
State Senate President Gary Stevens said one of his anxieties is about the federal stimulus is that it could increase eligibility for Denali Kid Care. That’s the state’s health insurance program for low-income children.
“If we allow Denali Kid Care to include everyone in the state of Alaska who has an income lower than 300 percent of poverty then we might be stuck with that in the future. We want to be careful about providing programs that next year, when we are on our own, we might have to retract,” the Republican from Kodiak told reporters yesterday.
Stevens said he can understand why Alaska Rep. Don Young voted against the stimulus bill. Stevens said he was “very nervous, frankly, as a Republican, looking at what I’ve seen reported. I’m concerned if he federal government can sustain this. And I’m also concerned does this really stimulate the economy and does it add jobs.”
Senate Majority Leader Johnny Ellis, D-Anchorage, disagreed, saying Young and other stimulus opponents don’t get it.
“I think Congressman Young is out of touch with Alaskans. There is a lot of anxiety about the future of the country, economically, and the future of our state, and whether we will experience some of the negative effects the Lower 48 is feeling, we are starting to,” Ellis said.
“Congressman Young stuck with his political party and I suppose his principles. But I believe he's out of touch with what Alaskans are thinking and fearing for the future,” Ellis said.
I really thought this part was interesting.
“Alaska Democratic Sen. Mark Begich said he’s pushing for changes to the federal stimulus plan that would allow the state to turn down money if it wants.”
Begich is a socialist globalist.. like George Bush(BIG gov't republican)..
Except Begich is a democrat.. ALL Alaskan democrats believe in a FREE LUNCH...
Gee, I wonder if he’s running for governor in the next cycle?
In early January he slams Palin for not asking for enough for Alaska in the stimulus now that basically nobody wants the thing he is acting like he wanted it changed all along.
Now everyone is rushing over to agree with Sarah so they can say they were against it.
I believe it was Bill McInturff (McCain’s pollster) who said Sarah has great political instincts.
Sarah will run and she will win. She has great political instincts. She knows what is the right thing to do, Begich on the other hand weeks ago was blasting her for not asking for more money, now he is changing his tune. Perhaps he got a lot of phone calls from Alaskans who were pissed that he wanted more money
For those that care Glenn Beck did correct his statement on Sarah, but said he still wanted to know what her plan really was. An apology of sorts, but with a little back of the hand condition.
The Obots that post at ADN are desperately trying to say she flip flopped on this. They must have really wanted to shackle her to dear leader. Not working out too well for them.
Those Obots(the really nutty ones) will jump off a cliff if Obama told them to. They are too far gone to be saved
I don't know about Beck, but many Romney supporters hate Sarah and his organization badmouthed her quite a lot in the past.
She said she agrees some kind of stimulus plan is needed and supports getting federal money for tax breaks and construction projects in the state. But Palin said she's "against increased federal programs that will become a state's unfunded mandate to continue funding for generations."
A lot of people who don’t like her tend to be Weiner heads or 3rd party types..
The 3rd party types dream that if Palin is discredited, then the tens of thousands of people, who attended Palin rallies, will flock to support the Constitution Party or whatever.
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