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Stimulus Money Rescues Alabama’s Budget

By TWAY Kris

Let there be no doubt that without the money from the stimulus package, the citizens of Alabama would have experienced serious cuts in services and would have gone without necessary infrastructure improvements. To say the stimulus is “wasteful” ignores reality.

Montgomery Advertiser: Stimulus Funds Boost State Budgets

April 22nd, 2009 | Tags: , , | Category: Alabama, Politics | 2 comments

Obama Tells Mark Sanford What’s Up

By TWAY Kris

Wow…that was gutsy and absolutely 100% the right thing to do. Stop the gamesmanship and step up to the plate Gov. Sanford. Do you want the money, or do you not? No more games.

Among the numerous rumors swirling around Columbia tonight is a report that President Barack Obama has told Gov. Mark Sanford that if he does not apply for federal stimulus funds, the money will not be available for South Carolina.

And The Palmetto Scoop has now confirmed that Obama has, in fact, sent Sanford a very blunt, personal letter saying just that.

The correspondence reportedly states that roughly $700 million in discretionary stimulus money allocated for South Carolina will be revoked on Friday if Sanford declines to accept the funds and that, by law, no alternative options can be accepted.

The letter is in line with a nonbinding opinion issued Tuesday by Attorney General Henry McMaster that said Sanford — not state lawmakers — have the final say over whether the state accepts federal stimulus money.

Love it, love it, love it, and I assume the same applies to Governor Riley of Alabama and others who want to play the game of saying they don’t want the money and letting the money flow because the legislature asks for it. If you REALLY don’t want it, don’t take it, but don’t play games.

The full letter is here
Take it or Lose It [UPDATED] – Palmetto Scoop

April 1st, 2009 | Tags: , , , | Category: Politics | One comment

Governors Reject Money – Now it Makes Sense

By TWAY Kris

See, now it makes sense…

The National Employment Law Project (NELP), which advocates for low-income workers, estimates that 533,902 people would benefit from the changes in the unemployment law set out in the stimulus. Maurice Emsellem, policy co-director for NELP, said some states could face automatic tax increases if their unemployment funding doesn’t keep pace with demand.

“By deciding against taking millions of federal dollars, the governors are denying benefits to hundreds of thousands of workers and triggering tax increases … that are going to hurt the economy when it needs the help most,” Emsellem said.

Joel Sawyer, a spokesman for Sanford, said it’s politically difficult to take away benefits once they’re extended. Increasing the number of people eligible for unemployment would exacerbate the long-term problem the state has meeting its benefit obligations.

The spokesman for Governor Sanford said it…it will be politically difficult to take these benefits away once they are extended. It’s difficult, so let’s not do it…the new Republican Party mantra!

via Governors reject stimulus money for unemployment – USATODAY.com.

March 16th, 2009 | Tags: , , | Category: Alabama, Politics | 4 comments

Alabama leaders need to put citizens first in economic crisis – al.com

By TWAY Kris

Kristin Bailey Gardner did an outstanding job this morning of arguing how ridiculous it is for Governor Riley to turn down $100 million in stimulus funds.

Riley’s reason is simply this: Accepting the money could lead to increased taxes on employers when the stimulus runs out in four years. Yes, it could. However, most economic experts agree that our economy will recover by 2014, which would likely mean declining unemployment rates and a decrease in our benefit costs. Perhaps Riley is not a gambling man, but if one must gamble, I would definitely put my money on helping unemployed workers who struggle to make ends meet during this economic crisis. Fortunately, state Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, has introduced legislation to draw down the $100 million in unemployment aid. This is an issue that deserves everyone involved working together for the good of the people. This is the time to put politics aside.

This is a point I’ve been trying to make as well, and she did it in a very succinct and clear manner.

Alabama leaders need to put citizens first in economic crisis – al.com.

March 15th, 2009 | Tags: , , | Category: Alabama, Politics | One comment
 
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