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Did Perry Slash the Volunteer Fire Fighter Budget?
National Review ^ | 9-7-2011 | Katrina Trinko

Posted on 09/07/2011 12:45:44 PM PDT by smoothsailing

Did Perry Slash the Volunteer Fire Fighter Budget?

By Katrina Trinko

September 07, 2011

Talking to MNSBC host Larry O’Donnell last night, former Perry opponent Jim Hightower accused Rick Perry of making draconian cuts to the volunteer fire fighter budget — no small accusation, considering the wildfires in Texas. 

“Perry with his Republican supermajority in the legislature managed to slash the budget of the volunteer fire departments in our state by 75 percent in the last legislative session. We don’t have firefighters enough to come to fight these fires. People’s homes are burning down because of his failure,” Hightower said.

A news story from Texas ABC Texas KVUE backs up Hightower’s charge, reporting in March that “state funding for volunteer fire departments is taking a big hit. It is going from $30 million to $7 million.”

The Perry campaign did not challenge the numbers, but spokesman Mark Miner e-mailed this response:

The Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Account appropriation for the 2012-13 biennium is comparable to amounts included in previous budgets signed by Gov. Perry. A one-time increase in funding for the 2010-11 biennium included funding for recommended capital costs like new equipment. Included below are the appropriations amounts for the Texas Forest Service for each budget signed by Gov. Perry. The Volunteer Firefighter Service Account is included in the total Texas Forest Service appropriation.

 The Texas legislature traditionally makes supplemental appropriations to provide additional funding to cover unexpected costs related to disasters, including wildfires. This year, the legislature approved $121 million in supplemental spending of this sort. The threat of unpredictable natural disasters including as wildfires is precisely why Gov. Perry insisted that Texas’ 2012-13 budget not include any spending from the state’s Rainy Day Fund, which currently has an estimated balance of $6.5 billion.

 Texas Forest Service appropriations    

Biennium      Total (in millions)

2002 – 2003   $43.5

2004 – 2005   $70.6

2006 – 2007   $72.4

2008 – 2009   $75.2

2010 – 2011   $109.2

2012 – 2013   $75.4



TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: jimhightower; larryodonnell; mslsd; perry; wildfires
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To: Da Coyote
Calling Jim Hightower a liberal is like calling Bill Ayers a liberal professor.

I remember watching Hightower talking on some television program one time completely agog, thinking "How can anyone from Texas be this far left of center?" He made Molly Ivins seem like a moderate Republican.

Hightower is one of the biggest jokes in Texas.

Talk about "all hat and no cattle."


41 posted on 09/07/2011 1:56:31 PM PDT by Sudetenland (There can be no freedom without God--What man gives, man can take away.)
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To: mathluv

“Imagine that!!! A dim (Hightower) that lies.”

Imagine that!!! The lie was then picked up by more than a few Perry-bashing Freepers who should have known better. Sanity has left the building.


42 posted on 09/07/2011 1:58:24 PM PDT by KingKongCobra
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To: dusttoyou

This frames the real fight we are in. We must focus on the real goal of ousting him out of office.


43 posted on 09/07/2011 1:59:29 PM PDT by CajunConservative ( Leadership. It is defined by action, not position.)
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To: mac_truck
Like hell it is. Who's bright idea was it to cut the firefighting budget in the middle of an epic statewide drought anyway?

Are you reading impaired my good man?.

First...the HUGE jump between 09-10 and 10-11 was OBVIOUSLY not meant to be the new baseline. You will also notice...we are still in FY 2011. the 2012 budget hasn't started yet.

So...no budget was cut. The increase was one time expenses. Only in teh mind of a warped DEMOCRAT is this a budget cut....and that is where you made your error...by believing a democrat.

You should be more careful next time. Remember: They lie about everything.

44 posted on 09/07/2011 2:04:41 PM PDT by NELSON111
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To: smoothsailing

Dear Perry fans: Your man is about to be Palinized.

Expect 100 more of these broadsides and remember “it’s the seriousness of the charge that matters.” Though false, the numbers and data are arcane enough to fool most reporters and the charges will circulate and recirculate through the next 18 months. Jon Stewart will sling lots of mockery and crockery, abetted by Mr. Stevie and the late-nighters.

That is what you are up against. We feel your pain.

My question is, when the process is finished, and Perry has been (unfairly) made radioactive, will Palin or Perry look like the better candidate?


45 posted on 09/07/2011 2:39:39 PM PDT by cookcounty ("I love loving him," --brilliant Matha's Vinyud liberal explaining her support for Obama)
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To: cookcounty
will Palin or Perry look like the better candidate?

Palin is not now and is not going to be a candidate. Obama outpolls her in Alaska, for goodness sake.

46 posted on 09/07/2011 2:44:22 PM PDT by smoothsailing
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To: dusttoyou

I went and read the story. Bizarre. CEO contribute to the wrong party?


47 posted on 09/07/2011 3:24:08 PM PDT by DManA
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To: MEGoody

Maybe so. But volunteer firefighters are still showing up to help fight the wildfires in Texas, and the federal government is turning them away.
********************************************

I found this at the State Firemen’s and Fire Marshals’ Association of Texas

http://www.sffma.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=574

Notices for Firefighter Assistance Needed in Texas

Postby admin on Tue Sep 06, 2011 3:07 pm
Fire Service,

Evidently there is some very strange rumors, calls, etc being made about assisting Texas Fire Departments with the devastating wildfires.

To dispell any myths:
*There is NOT and ALL call for any firefighter, retired firefighter or want to be firefighter
*There is not a phone number that the public or firefighters call to offer assistance
*Some of our members have reported receiving an automated call asking for firefighters. We DON’T know where this is coming from or what company is doing it. If you get a call like this please let us know.

Remember - -
*Resources MUST be requested by the department needing assistance
*Current firefighters in a recognized fire department shoud request the Chief to offer assistance to the TIFMAS Regional Coordinator. If you don’t know who your TIFMAS Coordinator is or would like to offer your department’s assistance please email TIFMAS State Coordinator Joe Florentino at jflorentino@littleelm.org
*For Wildland deployments, S130/190 class is highly recommended but not required
*Personnel should be self sufficient for 72 hours
*Deployments are typically 7days

If you have any questions please contact Director Barron at cbarron @ sffma.org


48 posted on 09/07/2011 3:37:18 PM PDT by Irenic
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To: DManA

You are probably dead on. The Shitcago way. Sort of the old mob protection racket.


49 posted on 09/07/2011 3:48:27 PM PDT by dusttoyou ("Progressives" and ronpaul are wee-weeing all over themselves, Foc nobama)
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To: DManA
It looks like it's the Forest Service wanting its' own fleet. Grow that gov't! I'm sure THAT has something to do with unions.

7/29/11

Forest Service cancels air tanker contract

*snip*

Gourley said the FAA in April expressed some concerns about the company’s flying certificates, which he equated to a driver’s license, so Aero Union voluntarily grounded its fleet while the issue was sorted out. Soon after, the aircraft received permission to fly for the rest of the wildfire season.

His aircraft were last inspected six weeks ago, he said. “And midseason, it was ‘Oops, we changed our mind,’” he said. “We’re kind of sitting here befuddled when everything has been approved.”

Gourley said he believes the termination of his company’s contract is part of a larger effort by the Forest Service to own a fleet of aircraft rather than rely on private contractors.

“So what they’re doing is precipitating a crisis. They’ve trumped up this maintenance issue, which doesn’t exist, and decided to use that against us,” he said.

http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_18580461?nclick_check=1

50 posted on 09/07/2011 3:49:41 PM PDT by Irenic
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To: smoothsailing

btt


51 posted on 09/07/2011 4:28:00 PM PDT by mnehring
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To: NELSON111; oilwatcher; dusttoyou

So instead of addressing the question of who’s bright idea it was to not fully fund Texas firefighters during the worst drought in 100 years y’all rather play slick word games with the meaning of “cut”.

You better hope Perry himself has a better answer than that.


52 posted on 09/07/2011 4:28:11 PM PDT by mac_truck ( Aide toi et dieu t aidera)
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To: dusttoyou
Can you read?

No as good as you and Parry can tap-dance...

53 posted on 09/07/2011 4:29:40 PM PDT by mac_truck ( Aide toi et dieu t aidera)
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To: mac_truck
Who's bright idea was it to cut the firefighting budget in the middle of an epic statewide drought anyway?

Did you read the article? No one cut the firefighting budget. The prior budget had one-time funds included for capital expenses. Or do you believe like the liberals that once something is added to a budget, even if it is a one time expense, it is a "cut" if the money is not provided every year after that?

54 posted on 09/07/2011 4:38:06 PM PDT by CA Conservative (Texan by birth, Californian by circumstance)
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To: CA Conservative
Did you read the article?

Did you read my latest comments?

55 posted on 09/07/2011 4:45:53 PM PDT by mac_truck ( Aide toi et dieu t aidera)
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To: mac_truck

Yes. It would appear you are a liberal rather than a conservative, since you believe that not appropriating one-time funds in every subsequent budget constitutes a “cut”. Do you also believe that a reduction in a planned increase in spending constitutes a “cut” in spending?


56 posted on 09/07/2011 4:51:17 PM PDT by CA Conservative (Texan by birth, Californian by circumstance)
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To: mac_truck

We all understand in the paul camp none of the ‘followers” who chase after every Perry thread need to use logic or basic understanding when something is explained well enough for most voters, cause ronpaul is soooo smart.

Ok eistein, when in 2010 did YOU know the 100 year drought was destined?


57 posted on 09/07/2011 5:09:21 PM PDT by dusttoyou ("Progressives" and ronpaul are wee-weeing all over themselves, Foc nobama)
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To: CA Conservative

...and you disseminate like a courthouse Clintonista. You’d rather debate the meaning of “is” or in this case “cut” than address the underlying issue of whether Texas firefighters were adaquately funded in the face of epic drought conditions.


58 posted on 09/07/2011 5:37:41 PM PDT by mac_truck ( Aide toi et dieu t aidera)
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To: dusttoyou
...when in 2010 did YOU know the 100 year drought was destined?

Lol! I suppose anyone with the inclination can look at the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) to see where Texas is at drought wise and how that stacks up historically. One would hope Parry was at least briefed on the severity of the weather in his own state and how ongoing drought might impact fire conditions there earlier this year.

Another idea might be to rename the six billion dollar 'rainy day' fund the 'drought fund'.. to give Parry a better idea when he should use it.

59 posted on 09/07/2011 6:16:47 PM PDT by mac_truck ( Aide toi et dieu t aidera)
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To: mac_truck
whether Texas firefighters were adaquately funded in the face of epic drought conditions.

The short answer is, of course they were. But the original question of the thread is whether the budget was cut, which of course it wasn't. Troll.

60 posted on 09/07/2011 8:09:32 PM PDT by CA Conservative (Texan by birth, Californian by circumstance)
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