(Gov.) Perry rejects part of stimulus package

[PBS Poll-435]

Perry rejects part of stimulus package

2:30 PM Thu, Mar 12, 2009
Wayne Slater
The Dallas Morning News - Trailblazers

Gov. Rick Perry has turned down some $500 million in federal unemployment aid that's part of the Obama administration's financial stimulus package. He says it would require Texas to expand its jobless program to allow more people to qualify for assistance and leave Texas on the hook for additional costs when the federal aid ends.

At a news conference in Houston, Perry announced:

Strings attached to the unemployment insurance stimulus dollars would require an unprecedented change in Texas' definition of unemployment, increasing the tax burden borne by Texas employers. This increased burden would counteract the stimulus package's objective of job creation by leading companies to limit hiring and raise prices on products, hindering their ability to overcome the economic crisis and ultimately limiting growth.

The stimulus plan has given Perry a chance to rail against Washington -- and by extension, Republican political rival Kay Bailey Hutchison.

[monmouth]

1. Thought I read here on DU that you either took the entire package or

nothing. Could be wrong but that made sense to me...

[ncteechur]

2. I read that state assemblies can override governors.

This is simply grandstanding by governors about ready to pee in their pants to run for prez. They know they will get it all. Pussynecks!

[Avalux]

5. Are you sure?

Not that it matters anyway; the Texas legislature will back whatever Perry decides.

There's going to be hell to pay.

[genna]

17. Yes, I thought James Clybourne SC foresaw governors trying to grandstand

while the jobless of their states suffer.


BTW, I like Clybourne choosing to take his governor on.

[dave29]

3. I reject ALL of Governor Goodhair

.

[Avalux]

4. I'm in tears right now - so angry I can barely type this.

I'm laid off and need the extra benefits the stimulus would provide - my family needs them.

Now I have a job I guess - organizing a movement to march on Austin. FUCK PERRY.

[Better Believe It]

9. Anger without focus and organization is wasted. You've got the right idea!

The Democratic Party, labor movement and all progressive organizations ought to get off their asses in Texas and help organized the unemployed!

You can't do this all by yourself but maybe you and a few others can help get the ball rolling.

The gov is hoping that there will be little negative reaction to his policy expect for perhaps a few "for the record" protest statements.

[PBS Poll-435]

10. Believe me. I am PISSED

Texas has a shitload of cash tucked away in the rainy day fund that would be able to offset the changes in the structure Texas Workforce Commission unemployement fund.

[Avalux]

11. Anywhere I can find that in writing?

It would be helpful to know exactly how much is in that 'rainy day' fund.

[PBS Poll-435]

12. This is old, but it gives you a good idea

I will find a more recent source for you when I get back from dinner.



http://www.hro.house.state.tx.us/interim/int77-6.pdf

[Avalux]

13. Thanks! n/t

[PBS Poll-435]

14. A projected 9.1 Billion Dollars as of 01/09

Enough to buy CitiGroup.

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/region/legislature/stories/01/18/0118rainyday.html

[Avalux]

15. Wow - I had no idea.

Thanks for remembering to post this. :hi:

[Uzybone]

6. This news is not playing well in Houston

playing politics with peoples lives.

[Better Believe It]

7. The Democratic Party and other organizations ought to organize some big unemployed demonstrations

I'd like to see the AFL-CIO, ACORN and other progressive organizations support a serious effort to organize the unemployed in Texas.

We need some loud and BIG protests of the unemployed, workers who are threatened with unemployment and their supporters.

What do people think?

[WeDidIt]

8. Shumer already said, it's all or nothing

IF he rejects part of it, he rejects all of it.

Period.

[MichDem10]

16. Send that $500 million up here to Michigan

With unemployment at 11.2% here in Mich. we have a lot folks that could use the help.