Where the Stimulus Rubber Hits the Road…
By Danae Jones Aicher | Tuesday, February 17th, 2009 | PolicyI’ve watched and read and listened with interest- and mostly confusion- about this stimulus package, really trying to put aside partisanship to, as objectively as possible, analyze the situation. Today’s NYT article (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/us/politics/17repubs.html?_r=1&th&emc=th)about where many of the nation’s state governors stand shows us where the rubber hits the road. And that is where those politicians who are closer to the people they govern have to make spending decisions for the people they govern.
Florida’s Republican Governor, Charlie Crist had this to say:
“It really is a matter of perspective… As a governor, the pragmatism that you have to exercise because of the constitutional obligation to balance your budget is a very compelling pull” generally. “Whether it’s teachers or people on road crews helping our infrastructure, those in the health care arena as it might relate to Medicaid, all of these areas are important, all of them can produce jobs,” Mr. Crist said, adding, “Regardless of what your party is, Republican or Democrat, it really doesn’t matter. We have a duty and an obligation to the people who elected us, no matter what our position happens to be, to work together to get through this thing.”
In the National Governors Association’s plea to Congress to be more bipartisan, Republican governors, including the group’s Vice Chairman, Vermont Republican Gov. Jim Douglas said this:
“The combination of funds for Medicaid, education and other essential services is critical for governors as they work to manage the downturn in their states and improve government for the long term,”
Perhaps the Republicans in Congress are too close to the party apparatus and not close enough to the responsibility of doling out the actual dollars.
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7 Responses to "Where the Stimulus Rubber Hits the Road…"
Or perhaps Governors want free money to keep them from cutting their budgets as they otherwise should have.
When you rob Peter to pay Paul, Paul never complains. Governors are a bunch of Pauls in this debate.
Medicaid is a job-creation program, huh? What’s next? Social Security creates jobs? Unemployment checks create jobs?
It’s not a question of “party apparatus”, Danae. It’s a question of governors – particularly squishy ones – breathing a collective sigh of relief that they no longer have to make tough budgetary decisions.
Here is a different argument. Its much harder to be an idealogue when you actually have to govern. Something tells me neither Pelosi or Cantor could govern their way out of a paper bag. Thats a very dangerous/depressing thought for two of the so called congressional “leaders”
As far as tough decisions and choices were made where were the Rs during 2000-2006 and now all they can in zombie like fashion is Tax Cut Tax Cut. Bunch of tools only marginally better than the free spending irresponsible dems for me. A pox on both congressional political houses of incompetence.
This bill is not a bed of roses for the states either.
There are going to be a lot of social programs that will continue for years to come. Once the feds money stops flowing, the states will have to pay the tab. These governors do not care, however, because that will be someone else’s problem. Those who claim that they are above ideology need to look at a more common sense approach that will actually stimulate the economy.
Cute, Brian, but Social Security does sustain jobs.
The majority of my income is Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). (Yeah, I’m one of those people slated for $250.) By your argument, money spent by me at a merchant is irrelevant if it comes from the Feds, but does do something if it comes from my P/T job. A dollar into a store’s coffers is a dollar into the store’s coffers regardless of who direct deposited it into my checking account..
Yes, but money sent to the government to be sent to you to be spent by you would’ve been spent by me.
Danae,
The problem with the stimulus package is that it’s rules will often defeat it’s intentions.
“SHOVEL-READY”
Ask them at the MPO: few road projects will actually meet that criteria. Few in the country will.
The money that has to be returned to Washington is expected to then go into the regular appropriations process, and we know what fun & games happen there.
$400 TAX CREDIT
I’m one of those eligible, but – the more I read on it – I’m going to have a difficult time actually receiving the money. I’m slated to get $250 from Social Security no later than late May.
The other $150 for this year and $400 for next? It’s suppose to be done by lifting some paycheck withholding. Uh…I’m Federal income tax withholding exempt. Do they pull from Social Security and Medicare taxes? As big a policy junkie as I am, I’m having trouble getting my hands around this one. If I can’t, how can the average citizen?
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