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Some governors unsure about taking stimulus money
The Associated Press
Issue date: 2/23/09 Section: News
WASHINGTON (AP) - Governors usually don't argue about whether they should take money from the federal government, just how much they should get. Yet some chief executives are divided over President Barack Obama's economic stimulus plan and whether the billions it offers is always a good deal.
Gov. Haley Barbour, R-Miss., has said he is considering turning down millions of dollars in unemployment aid because it would force his state to raise taxes when the stimulus money runs out by putting in place a tax on employers. Louisiana Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal shares that concern about strings attached to stimulus dollars as well as the plan's overall approach to dealing with the economic crisis.
"I don't think the best way to do that is for the government to tax and borrow more money," Jindal said Sunday on "Meet the Press" on NBC. "If all they do is borrow federal money and give it to the states, all we're really doing is delaying the inevitable. We're eventually going to have to make these hard choices anyway."
Republican governors in town for the National Governor's Association meeting played down a split over the stimulus plan. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist was among those who said they are behind the plan even if they have qualms about it.
"There are times when you're in a crisis and we all need to work together in order to get through those crises. And I think that this is one of those times," Crist said on NBC.
One congressman announced legislation Sunday to make it easier for states that want the money to get a share of the funds others pass up. Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., said his proposal would reallocate funds from the five states - Alaska, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Carolina and Idaho - that say they might reject some portions of their stimulus money.
"If some governors decide to reject the money, 45 other states should be able to use it to create thousands of jobs," Weiner said. "We have plenty of projects across the country that will put people to work and help achieve long term economic growth and stability."
Gov. Haley Barbour, R-Miss., has said he is considering turning down millions of dollars in unemployment aid because it would force his state to raise taxes when the stimulus money runs out by putting in place a tax on employers. Louisiana Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal shares that concern about strings attached to stimulus dollars as well as the plan's overall approach to dealing with the economic crisis.
"I don't think the best way to do that is for the government to tax and borrow more money," Jindal said Sunday on "Meet the Press" on NBC. "If all they do is borrow federal money and give it to the states, all we're really doing is delaying the inevitable. We're eventually going to have to make these hard choices anyway."
Republican governors in town for the National Governor's Association meeting played down a split over the stimulus plan. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist was among those who said they are behind the plan even if they have qualms about it.
"There are times when you're in a crisis and we all need to work together in order to get through those crises. And I think that this is one of those times," Crist said on NBC.
One congressman announced legislation Sunday to make it easier for states that want the money to get a share of the funds others pass up. Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., said his proposal would reallocate funds from the five states - Alaska, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Carolina and Idaho - that say they might reject some portions of their stimulus money.
"If some governors decide to reject the money, 45 other states should be able to use it to create thousands of jobs," Weiner said. "We have plenty of projects across the country that will put people to work and help achieve long term economic growth and stability."
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