Posted on 09/07/2011 12:45:44 PM PDT by smoothsailing
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
“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.
This frames the real fight we are in. We must focus on the real goal of ousting him out of office.
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.
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?
Palin is not now and is not going to be a candidate. Obama outpolls her in Alaska, for goodness sake.
I went and read the story. Bizarre. CEO contribute to the wrong party?
Maybe so. But volunteer firefighters are still showing up to help fight the wildfires in Texas, and the federal government is turning them away.
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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
You are probably dead on. The Shitcago way. Sort of the old mob protection racket.
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
btt
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.
No as good as you and Parry can tap-dance...
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?
Did you read my latest comments?
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?
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?
...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.
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.
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.
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