Stimulus Controversy Overblown, NGA Leaders Say.
EmailABC News’ Tahman Bradley reports: The partisan bickering over the $787 billion economic stimulus program has become a bombastic debate because at the end of the day most of the nation’s governors will accept and use the federal dollars to help their states’ sagging economies, the leaders of National Governors Association said Saturday. "I think most of the governors will accept most of the money and use it to the benefit of the citizens," NGA chairman Gov. Ed Rendell, D-Penn., said at a press conference in Washington, DC. "Are there parts of (the stimulus) that I would change?," Rendell asked rhetorically. "Sure…But on balance it’s the best response that we could have made as a country." The only Republican to attend the presser, NGA vice chairman, Gov. Jim Douglas, R-Vt., said governors should put politics aside and take the stimulus money for the good of their citizens. "Some of the controversy about the federal recovery act dollars, I think, is overblown. I believe every governor should and will exercise due diligence to make sure that the acceptance of any federal resources is in the best interest of that state and its residents." Douglas called the stimulus’ additional dollars for Medicaid and unemployment benefits a big help. "We’re not just getting a handout here," he said. "At this extraordinary time, this temporary support — especially in the area of health care and other safety net services — is particularly welcome. " A few Republican governors have voiced concern that the stimulus program will deepen the national debt without dramatically improving the economy. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, for example, announced Friday that he would only use a portion of the stimulus money directed toward his state. The possible 2012 presidential candidate said he would not use a part of the stimulus which he said would result in an unemployment insurance tax increase on Louisiana businesses. He will, however, accept money to increase unemployment benefits. Democratic governors plan to hold a presser Saturday afternoon calling on their Republican colleagues to support the recovery plan, a sign that the stimulus debate has injected partisanship into the governors meeting in a way that is highly unusual for the nonpartisan organization. Douglas called on the governors to tamp down the partisan rancor. "I really think that the recovery of the American economy is not a partisan issue. We’ve got friends and neighbors all across America – Republicans and Democrats and independents – who are losing their jobs by the thousands in all of our states." . Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer said he doesn’t understand why his GOP colleagues would have a problem accepting the aid because governors take federal dollars for all kinds of programs. "It’s not something really new. It’s just moving the money a little faster and putting 3.5 million people to work," an animated Schweitzer said. "Its going speed up the time in which we’re going to fix these highways and bridges. It’s going to deliver a more efficient building – and our state buildings, federal building and our schools. We’re going to do it this year instead of waiting two or three more years." Rendell is using his NGA chairmanship this year to emphasize the importance of repairing the nation’s aging infrastructure. He said states are taking on a greater burden in paying for infrastructure repair because the federal government has decreased spending in that area. He applauded the stimulus’ money for infrastructure projects.
Gulf of Mexico to Become Gulf of America? 
Can Mitt Romney Win Conservatives Back?
Jindal giving up unemployment funds for his state? Won’t be long before these GOP obstructionists will be forced to ditch their principles and accept any and all funds to save their own political futures.
http://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: matt | February 21, 2009, 2:07 pm 2:07 pm
Jindal is politically posturing and hurting his constituents, and he is a fool.
I have been laid off three times over my career and I can tell you that each and every time I used extended benefits, mostly for a few weeks thank God. These are nothing new in any state. This time things look to very grave indeed, and this fool to worries about the price of unemployment insurance.
Oh cry me a river.
Posted by: Thinking | February 21, 2009, 2:31 pm 2:31 pm
Republican govs like Jindal are just being hypocritical. When it comes down to the wire, they will be right in there grabbing all of the stimulous funds they can for their state(s). To do otherwise would be political suicide and they know it.
Posted by: beto | February 21, 2009, 3:38 pm 3:38 pm
“”I think most of the governors will accept most of the money and use it to the benefit of the citizens,” NGA chairman Gov. Ed Rendell, D-Penn., said at a press conference in Washington, DC. ”
well, the money does belong to the citizens.
it’s not a “gift” from the fed , you know
Posted by: Realilty | February 21, 2009, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm
The poitical gamesmanship on this is so transparent it just makes a mockery of our system. Republicans are toast. They know it. So in similar fashion to the Sarah Palin pick by McCain they’re throwing a hail Mary pass in hopes that the plan will fail, or perhaps they’ll even do anything in their power to insure it fail by refusing to implement it correctly. Make no mistake. The People are finally paying attention & despite the vigorous media attempts to control perception. We ALL see it.
Posted by: Chapman | February 21, 2009, 4:24 pm 4:24 pm
Print a million bucks for everybody and free healthcare.
Posted by: Huh | February 21, 2009, 5:35 pm 5:35 pm
Sarah Palin is a Hollow Floating Bubble…
Notice: 3 Republican Governors are pretending that they are considering not Accepting any Stimulus Money…
1. Texas: Republican Governor Tom Ridge
2. Louisiana: Governor Bobby Jindal
3. Alaska: Governor Sarah Palin
Notice: They are All [[Oil Producing States]]
Its Obvious, all [3] have their EYES set on [[2012]] and they could give a Rats Backside, what their Tax Paying Residents need Right Now, because they are Financially Secure.
This will come back to Haunt these Low Life’s in [[2012]] that they placed more Importance on their [[Presidential Aspirations]] than the Tax Paying People of their States, that they are Supposedly Representing !!
Sarah Palin Leads the Pack
Note: All Oil Producing States with Matching Republican Governors, with Presidential Aspirations as well.
Sarah Palin has Designs on Ridge, Both Politically and Maybe Personally ?
But Palin Definitely has Political Designs on the Texas Oil Governor…
Tom Ridge
Posted by: O. | February 21, 2009, 5:50 pm 5:50 pm
Republican Governor: Charlie Crist, placed his State and his Tax Paying Residence over any Political Aspirations…
Being Non-Partisan and Placing his State and it’s People First, Over Politics as usual.
Posted by: O. | February 21, 2009, 5:51 pm 5:51 pm
Republicans had little problem with the stimulus portions of the bill ( there is not enough) ..it was the PORK they had problems with!
Why would they turn what little there is down!?
Posted by: s.morgan | February 21, 2009, 5:59 pm 5:59 pm
Some don’t want the money that will force them to raise taxes later on to keep programs created by this “one time” stimulus plan. Others flat out just don’t like spending money you don’t have and others think that some of stuff just won’t work. They get paid to think and all sides should be heard.
This bill was shoved through in a hurry, the first 350 billion on bank bail outs wasted 78 billion. Haste not only causes waste it gets you into situations ,such as wars, that you don’t necessarily need to be in.
Posted by: david | February 21, 2009, 6:16 pm 6:16 pm
I e-mailed my governor in Texas to refuse the stimulus money. My family isn’t rich, we’ve endured periods of unemployment, we’ve struggled and sacrificed to make insurance premiums. It’s not govt’s job to guarantee everyone a smooth ride and govt programs never boosted the economy. Since when has debate become bombastic partisanship? Since Obama became president?
Posted by: justahousewife | February 21, 2009, 6:25 pm 6:25 pm
Washington Post: President Obama is putting the finishing touches on an ambitious first budget that [[Seeks to Cut the Federal Deficit in Half Over the Next 4 Years]],
Big Note: Primarily by Raising Taxes on Business and the Wealthy and by Slashing Spending on the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Administration officials said.
——————-
In addition to tackling a deficit swollen by the [[$787 Billion Stimulus Package and other efforts to ease the Nation's Economic Crisis, the Budget Blueprint will press aggressively for progress on the [[Domestic Agenda]] Obama outlined during the presidential campaign.
This would include key changes to Environmental Policies and a [[Major Expansion of Health Coverage]] that Obama hopes to enact later this year.
God’s Speed, President Obama !!
God’s Speed !!
Posted by: O. | February 21, 2009, 6:58 pm 6:58 pm
It takes a lot of lies and hypocrisy to be a Republican these days. Sarah Palin and Jindal are two jokers. They don’t put their country first. They put their political aspirations above all else. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin called Jindal out for the low life creep he is. The people of Louisiana are getting wise and will vote him out soon. Then he can go back to being the Republicans “yes man”.
Posted by: Rethuglicans are anti-American | February 21, 2009, 8:57 pm 8:57 pm
I’ve lived in Texas for over 20 years and I don’t recall ever having Tom Ridge as our governor.
Posted by: Austinite | February 21, 2009, 9:12 pm 9:12 pm
Don’t know much about Jindal, but I know this “New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin” is a one big waste of air and space. He did not get his people out with 4 days warning. All those buses sitting in the flooded parking lot that could have been used to get people out of danger.
How did they pack 2 million people into Washing DC in below freezing weather in a day or 2 for BO’s swearing in?
Why couldn’t 455,000 people in New Orleans NOT get out of the city with 4 days notice?
Oh, I forget.. when you house is flooding or is on fire.. Don’t try to get out on your own. Wait until rescue gets there.
Posted by: ajax | February 21, 2009, 9:38 pm 9:38 pm
Texas: Republican Governor Tom Ridge
***************************************
????????? It is Rick Perry.
Posted by: Thinking | February 21, 2009, 9:58 pm 9:58 pm
Why couldn’t 455,000 people in New Orleans NOT get out of the city with 4 days notice?
****************************************
Well gee I am sure that everyone likes to leave their homes completely with out protection, with no place to go, on a maybe that a storm would hit. I can understand how some of them might want to hang around and protect all that they worked for.
Like this economy some people will not accept what is about to happen to them. They were in a state of denial.
Posted by: Thinking | February 21, 2009, 10:04 pm 10:04 pm
…O. said “But Palin Definitely has Political Designs on the Texas Oil Governor…
Tom Ridge”
O. That would be a really great point if you had any idea what you were talking about? The Gov of Texas is R. Perry, not Tom Ridge. Ridge was from PA and eventually because the first Director of Homeland Security.
Texas is one of the few states that is not operating at a deficit right now. In fact, Texas has an $11 Billion dollar surplus. Texas should be used as a benchmark on how to run a state government. Texas is one of the few remaining states that doesn’t even have state income tax … Perry should be commended for the job he is doing and other govs should follow suit. Why would Texas take government money and get intertwined with this mess when it doesn’t have to?
We are throwing all this money at failing state governments and yet we haven’t fixed the reasons they are failing. Let’s fix the problems first and then figure out where the money should be spent. Congress and Obama figured out a great way to throw good money after bad and unfortunately since the problems at the state levels are not fixed we are going to be in the same position next year and the year after …
Posted by: Jirv | February 21, 2009, 10:11 pm 10:11 pm
Send these loosers back to where they came from empty handed. They call politics against citizens of their respective states. What a looser????
Posted by: Richie | February 21, 2009, 10:28 pm 10:28 pm
I can’t believe people say it’s not part of the government’s function to play a major part in the economy or any type of economic recovery. I think the biggest problem with this country is that no one understands macroeconomics.
As for the governor’s not taking the stimulus money – their just stupid. They can take the money, help their constituents, and if the plan blows up – take absolutely no responsibility for it’s failure whatsoever. Maybe we need to give our politicians an IQ test before we allow them to be sworn in.
Posted by: judy | February 21, 2009, 10:30 pm 10:30 pm
I can’t believe people say it’s not part of the government’s function to play a major part in the economy or any type of economic recovery. I think the biggest problem with this country is that no one understands macroeconomics.
As for the governor’s not taking the stimulus money – their just stupid. They can take the money, help their constituents, and if the plan blows up – take absolutely no responsibility for it’s failure whatsoever. Maybe we need to give our politicians an IQ test before we allow them to be sworn in.
Posted by: judy | February 21, 2009, 10:31 pm 10:31 pm
justahousewife:” and govt programs never boosted the economy. ”
This is a laughable lie. The modern economy is unquestionably built upon socialized education. No first world nation on earth has only private roadways or electrical generation without any state support. A little government program called ARPANET eventually resulted in the internet boom, whose productivity benefits and enormous employment increase remains impressive even after the bubble bursting.
Thank goodness Republicans who are as utterly clueless as you are being seen for the inept and proudly ignorant leaders they proved themselves to be the past 8 years.
Posted by: jhw539 | February 21, 2009, 10:53 pm 10:53 pm
Just out of curiosity…Obama has a goal to half the federal deficit by the end of his 4 years…If he pulls this off does the Republican party have anything left to stand on?
Posted by: Ordermonger | February 21, 2009, 11:14 pm 11:14 pm
jhw539–I’m going to surprise you and agree that my statement about govt programs was wrong. You made a good point. See..I can admit a mistake. Too bad the Democrats didn’t construct a viable bill restricted to productive works like you mentioned. I would have had hope for a bill like that.
Posted by: justahousewife | February 21, 2009, 11:31 pm 11:31 pm
Great – if some governors don’t want the money good for them, find a way to make do without it. The money, after all, is merely a crutch and the states need to close their deficits irrespective of the money.
On the other hand, crutches do serve a purpose and it is folly to refuse one out of pride, hubris or politcal posturing if your state needs the temporary assistance.
Posted by: MIguy | February 21, 2009, 11:31 pm 11:31 pm
hey more fo rus true decent americans who have good governers that care about there people more then party…teh gop is old tired and nasty lets continue to vote them out in upcoming elections.
Posted by: T | February 22, 2009, 5:26 pm 5:26 pm
These Republican governors make me sick. All they’re in for is their own political advancement and careers and to hell with the people who need the unemployment checks or the jobs. None of these governors professing to refuse “some” of the money are doing it for the good of their constituency. Obama should make it such that if they refuse any part of the stimulus money they forfeit all of it and see if the people in the state will put up with their antics.
Posted by: Edie | February 22, 2009, 9:07 pm 9:07 pm
Jindal and others are mouthing the typicalGOP positions. however, if they choose not to extend unemployment benefits for their state’s citizens, then how are they going to create jobs within in their state.
Whats they solution for not needing the money?
Posted by: scott jeffries | February 22, 2009, 9:48 pm 9:48 pm
Jindal crafting response to Obama address
By Mike Hasten • mhasten@gannett.com • February 21, 2009
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BATON ROUGE – If you’re tuned in Tuesday night to watch Gov. Bobby Jindal’s response to President Barack Obama’s first address to Congress, you’ll be hearing his own words – with a bit of “tweaking” from national Republicans.
Melissa Sellers, the governor’s communications director, says he began working on his response at mid-week and might continue touching it up through the weekend.
Jindal has said he is “honored to be delivering the Republican response” and he views it as “a terrific opportunity to talk about our great state to the nation.”
“The governor writes his own material,” Sellers said when asked who writes his speeches. “It is the governor’s speech, although the National Republican Committee and congressional leaders have folks who are helping to edit it.”
Michael Steele, press secretary for House Minority Leader John Boehner said the Republican leadership in Congress has read Jindal’s speech. But he declined to discuss its content.
“The speech is great,” Steele said. “We only gave it a few tweaks.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s staff also reviewed Jindal’s speech and made suggestions. A McConnell staffer said crafting the speech “was a collaborative process,” which conflicts with Sellers’ comment that the governor wrote it and it was only being edited by the RNC and congressional leaders.
Top Republican officials have been grooming Jindal for the national spotlight since his election. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has labeled him “the most transformative young governor in America and radio talks show host Rush Limbaugh refers to him as “the next Ronald Reagan.”
Jindal will not receive an advance copy of the president’s speech but prior administrations have traditionally released “talking points” just prior to the address to Congress. However, it probably would be too late for additions to the governor’s remarks.
Sellers said his remarks will be short – about 5 to 10 minutes. He’ll be standing at the front entryway of the Governor’s Mansion.
CBS is sending a crew to do the live broadcast. All the other networks that pick it up will share the cost.
Political analyst Charlie Cook said the speech will provide American voters a chance to get to know Jindal.
“A lot of people have heard of him, but this is going to be the first deep look,” Cook said. And it’s likely Jindal will use “his debut on the national stage” to press his and his party’s conservative agenda.
The analyst said that if it’s like previous addresses, very few people will listen to Obama’s full speech and stay tuned in for Jindal’s. So, the speech may not do as much as the party would like to advance Jindal’s political career.
Cook likened the list of politicians who have given responses to presidential addresses over the years to “a graveyard filled with people with great hopes.”
Democrats have suffered a rash of ethics scandals lately, from former Sen. Tom Daschle’s tax problems to Sen. Roland Burris’ problems with his testimony about contacts with former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, but Cook said he doesn’t think Jindal will touch on that, even though preaching ethics is a trademark issue.
“People from Louisiana should not be preaching too hard on ethics,” he said, referring to the state’s storied past.
I would have loved to have seen Jindal’s speech, before editing by all of the above. Be nice to see if he could stand on his own two feet. So all who listen to his rebuttal, just keep in mind, it’ll be the best collaborative effort the Republican party has to offer.
Posted by: devilkev | February 22, 2009, 10:57 pm 10:57 pm
Republicans as usual are disagreeing and grandstanding just for political purposes.
Republicans would rather support companies overseas that use child labor than support American workers. They call it free trade.
Throw these worthless bums out at the next election.
Posted by: con me not | February 22, 2009, 11:04 pm 11:04 pm
there will be alot more republicans voted out in 2010 and 2012 if they dont stop hateing america and stop getting in the way of progress.
Posted by: T | February 23, 2009, 8:26 am 8:26 am
It amazes me that “a few Republican governors have voiced concern that the stimulus program will deepen the national debt without dramatically improving the economy” when it’s there Republican President that has national debt and the economy where it is to date. In 2001 Bush gave rebate checks to the American people from the reserve fund that could have saved us in later years. In 2003 did not the Bush Administration pass a $670 billion economic stimulus plan and as the economy continued to worsen, they passed yet another $145 billion economic stimulus plan in early 2008 in which money was borrowed from China (and we all know you can’t borrow yourself out of debt). I often wonder are the Republicans reluctant to take this money because they fear that this economic plan may actually work, defying all the lies and myths and the negative talk about the qualifications of the new president or is it because someone is actually holding them accountable for there actions. Surely it can’t be about debt when the last eight years has cause nothing but mounting debt, huge losses and the worst economic meltdown known in America’s history. The current stimulus plan doesn’t exceed that which the Bush Administration passed totaling more that $815 billion. President Obama has only been President 34 days. The Republicans are the ones who created this mess and now want to be sanctimonius and refuse the stimulus money when there citizens are in desperate need of aid due to a crisis they created. How funny is that?
Posted by: lambrigy | February 23, 2009, 10:30 am 10:30 am
My guess would be the folks who supposedly bought more than they could afford and will be helped under this plan are dittoheads.
It’s like the CNBC moron last week on Wall Street having a meltdown, schooling everyone on personal responsibility. Are you serious dude?
Posted by: Denise | February 23, 2009, 10:37 am 10:37 am
I am going to get as much free stuff as I can. Stimulate me baby.
Posted by: useless | February 23, 2009, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm
jindal is a self serving coniving weasel and a pupet for the republican party. The people of Luisiana should drive him out of office. You watch these guys they are going to block Obama at ever turn determine to see him fail because they have nothing to gain if he succeeds and to heck with the american people. They are such a joke weren’t these the same guys that tried to scare white folks from voting for Obama saying things like he is too risk, he is a terrorist and making fun of his name. The “Mack” couldn’t beat Obama but this weasel Harpu can? This weasel isn’t even in the same league as Obama and we will show you in 2012 bring him on! Grand wizard Mcconnel and Boehner better have a game plan because the party of “NO” is so OVER! WARP SPEED AHEAD PRESIDENT OBAMA!
Posted by: AngieBee | February 24, 2009, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm
One party’s failure does not guarantee the other’s success. When Obama’s plans fail, let’s try a *real* change – not more of the same political duopoly. Approval Voting (not to be confused with Instant Runoff Voting) would go a long way to help with our elected officials not representing us. See http://www.approvalvoting.org/ for more info.
Posted by: Mark | February 24, 2009, 5:55 pm 5:55 pm
Enough of these speeches, just send me my stimulus package NOW!!
Posted by: useless | February 25, 2009, 10:37 am 10:37 am
checking mail here
Posted by: useless | February 25, 2009, 7:07 pm 7:07 pm