Texas Gov. Rejects Stimulus Money For Unemployment

[Purveyor]

Source: Associated Press

(03-12) 12:48 PDT HOUSTON (AP) --

Texas Gov. Rick Perry has rejected $555 million in federal stimulus money that would expand state unemployment benefits.

Perry, an outspoken critic of President Barack Obama's $787 billion stimulus bill, accepted most of the roughly $17 billion slated for Texas in the plan.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/03/12/national/a124857D51.DTL

[marmar]

1. Fuck Rick Perry. Fuck Mark Sanford. Fuck every Red-State SOB who doesn't want to help their people..

..... My sympathies for the rational people who live in those states.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

34. REPUBLICANS SO HATEFUL

[av8rdave]

2. Thank God for Governor Goodhair, protecting the unemployed from the evils of government money

:sarcasm:

[CatholicEdHead]

3. If only Molly Ivins could write about this

[Blaze Diem]

4. Asshole. Wonder if his critic Kay Bailey Hutchinson will comment on the stupidity of Perry's bold de

to screw the peons of this state.
Takes Texas sized balls to deny help to the neediest of his constituents.

----------
asshole.

[my2sense]

5. All the while

Texas taxpayers are paying almost $10,000 a month for his crib (because the Governor's mansion is being repaired).

[hamsterjill]

6. George Bush, Jr.

Perry is just a Bush with better hair.

[DUgosh]

8. The price we are paying for his hair products

Need to be refunded asap

[NoPasaran]

7. After all

We didn't get to be the national lab for bad government by NOT acting like fuckwits, did we?

[Career Prole]

49. You can say that again!

:banghead:

[Scurrilous]

9. Perry’s perks shield him from real woes

<snip>

"Unlike thousands of his fellow Texans, Gov. Rick Perry is assured of a job for at least another 22 months and doesn’t have to worry about mortgage payments.

He has the keys to a big suburban house in Austin’s scenic hills that costs taxpayers $9,900 a month in rent.

These may not be the reasons he is threatening to snub $555 million in extra federal money for unemployment benefits for his more-mortal constituents. But the governor’s perks have made him blind and deaf to everyday realities, some critics believe.

"He’s been living off the government longer than any of these (unemployed) people ever would receive benefits,” said Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston.

Perry, whose selective, anti-government rhetoric belies the fact that he has been a full- or part-time state employee for 24 years, also can be insensitive to public perception.

Right after giving the back of his hand to thousands of jobless workers, he was promoting a $60-million handout for the film industry.

Yes, the industry that pays some of its top stars almost that much for a single picture and seems to always thrive, even in a struggling economy, because fans are willing to spend small fortunes on movie tickets and popcorn.

Perry, who once had a bit part in a movie, has asked the Legislature to increase the state’s financial incentives for movie and TV productions from the $20 million budgeted for the current biennium to $60 million for 2010-11."

more

[AnneD]

22. Go Garnet.....

my man...and personal hero. He and Rodney Ellis are a powerful pair and do a lot of good. Thank goodness we don't give the gov much power.

[AlbertCat]

57. The Movie Industry

Living in NC and working in the movies for decades, I will point out that a Texan will never be hired for or paid for anything but menial work. No directors or stars or designers or DPs or ADs or those kind of jobs will be held by a Texan....unless of course he or she moves to Los Angeles. Texans will be extras, gophers, PA's, seamstresses, carpenters, painters and have to work 15 hour days and probably on Sundays while the LA people fly back to LA on the week ends.

But maybe the Governor will get to meet Keira Knightley!....someday. That's worth the money...huh? huh?

[angstlessk]

10. because of economic conditions I am on dailup so it took a while to read

the brief excerpt from sfgate. I wondered why he accepted most but rejected the unemployment..now I dunderstand (left in the d) because he is worried about business, but obviously not the people who WORK for those business'. He expects the worst to last beyond the bailout obviously...what a putz!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

11. The asshat also suspended the unemployment replenishment tax last year

Which means the Texas unemployment kitty is facing a projected $447 million shortfall (which I expect to be higher by then) in October of this year.

Texas unemployment fund faces $447 million shortfall

AUSTIN (AP) - Texas is projected to have a $447 million shortfall in its unemployment compensation trust fund on Oct. 1 following the temporary suspension of the unemployment replenishment tax at the behest of Gov. Rick Perry, according to officials.

The unemployment fund, which pays jobless claims, was flush with $90 million in savings nearly a year ago when Perry temporarily halted the replenishment tax, one part of the unemployment insurance tax.

The suspended tax was reinstated this month, but officials said it won't be enough to cover the shortfall between the $414 million the state expects to be in the fund Oct. 1 and the $861 million it's supposed to have.

Meanwhile, jobless claims have skyrocketed because people are having a hard time finding work.
http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/012309/bus_380430082.shtml

[Downwinder]

12. I think it's past time to add Rick Perry to the list of unemployed.

Ought to gut his and State Senators' and Representatives' retirement funds. Like has happened to everyone else.

[Gin]

14. I thought they couldn't pick and choose what they wanted...when did that change?

[acmavm]

13. This is repugnantly petty and arrogant. Took 17 billion but refused to help

those who need it most. And I know about having to meet federal guidelines supposedly being the 'problem' for these bastards. Shit like this is why we need more federal guidelines.

[Indy Lurker]

15. Just asking,

Couldn't Texas change the law back when the federal money runs out?

[Reeta77]

16. I despise this pig..

I am a HR manager and responsible for processing the company's unemployment claims. So many of our contractors have been laid off since last summer and it has not slowed down in the least. I process claims WEEKLY and am on the receiving end of tears and expletives whenever TWC denies an individual unemployment benefits.

People are in dire need and I just cannot wrap my mind around why Perry would reject $555M in stimulus money.

[rcrush]

17. Its a wonder why someone would burn down the governors mansion.

I'm so fuckin pissed now.

[AnneD]

18. How this guy can be gov with less than 33% of the vote....

has me scratching my head. He is posturing for higher office, but any Texan right or left will tell you what a dick he is. Our DEM party here is as useful as tits on a bore hog. We are trying to weed them out but it has been a hard row to hoe.

[rcrush]

19. So what happens now?

Is there a way to get around this? Or do the unemployed in Texas just starve now?

[AnneD]

26. I vote we start a tent city

around the home he is living at, so the unemployed can show proper 'gratitude ' to Perry every day for the remainder of his term. I hope he has cooked his goose in Texas.

[rcrush]

28. I know plenty of unemployed people.

I'm sure an hour into the sit in we end up burning down his house. (Again)

[Downwinder]

39. Is there a place in Austin for a Perryville? Barton Springs? n/t

[AnneD]

50. I am sure it can be googled.

Boy talk about a national embarasment and getting news time...that might even short circut a national career.

[Javaman]

31. Fellow Texan, remember you high school Texas political history.

the Texas Governor is nothing more than a glorified ribbon cutter. it's the Lt. Governor and the legislature that has the power to say yay or nay.

perry is just trying to look tough. the difference between him and moron*, is moron* had the family pull to do things (because it certainly wasn't his smarts). perry jackass, doesn't have that kind of pull and never has.

if you recall, jackass perry said he also wasn't going to take any of the stimulus money, only to back peddle a day later after a private session with the Texas congress that basically told him to such the fuck up.

now he's trying to look all big pants and pull the same shit, thinking that he can get away with it.

I seriously doubt he will.

just another asshole that's all hat and no cattle.

[AnneD]

36. And the legislation meets

every other year. That's what I like about Texas.

[mbperrin]

54. And ONLY for 140 days then. Maybe we need to cut it to 70 days

every 4 years?

We sure do need to change the law in order to require a majority of voters elect the governor.

I'm also sure the asshole has made sure that he will be the only Aggie ever elected governor! Damn it! (Class of '75)

[Lone_Star_Dem]

37. I think it's political smoke and mirrors

They have to take the money, there's really no choice left to them. Perry is just using this moment to draw attention away from the fact that he temporarily halted the replenishment tax a year ago. Real smart considering we were entering into a economic turn-down of epic proportions.

No matter what there's going to have to be a raise in the taxes Texas employers have to pay. He's just looking for a way to confuse some of the less informed as to his part in the mess.

State unemployment fund strapped
Overloaded state fund might run out

Updated: Wednesday, 11 Mar 2009, 11:24 PM CDT
Published : Wednesday, 11 Mar 2009, 4:35 PM CDT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Some 450,000 employers across Texas can expect to pay more taxes in the next few years to restore the state’s nearly depleted unemployment benefits fund.

Last week the state paid out $64 million in unemployment benefits. That is more than twice as much as the same week a year ago. It is projected that the fund will drop to just $48 million by Oct. 1, when by law it is required to have $860 million.

Under the recently passed federal stimulus bill, Texas could receive $555 million, but the state would have to broaden its eligibility standards to include part-time workers and those with compelling family reasons for not working. One analyst with the Center for Public Policy Priorities believes that is a move long overdue.

"These policies make a lot of sense on their own merits," said Don Baylor, Jr. "With $555 million involved they make even more sense, especially in these times."

Even accepting the government stimulus money, employers are likely to have to pay higher taxes to rebuild the benefits fund. How much depends on whether the state borrows from the federal government or issues bonds.
http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/texas/State_unemployment_fund_strapped

More on his suspension of a part of the tax here: http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/012309/bus_380430082.shtml

[AlbertCat]

58. Or do the unemployed in Texas just starve now?

Maybe they can cross over into Mexico to find a job.

[AnneD]

65. Texans will never starve....

as long as there is road kill.

[hadrons]

20. I wonder how many of those on unemployment voted for Perry ....

anyone 'on the ground' there who can offer insight?

[Lone_Star_Dem]

27. Oh, some of them are, that's for sure.

Mostly he's a big money boot licker though. I'd feel free to say he had most of the truly big money votes and the majority of the extreme rightwing Christians supporting him. Overall he wasn't the number one pick with the majority of the working class in the state. Considering he only won with 39% of the vote, it's not as if he was the beloved candidate of the people in 2006.

[Downwinder]

40. He's a watch fob for the Texas Association of Business. n/t

[AnneD]

29. We had a 4 way race for Gov. last year.....

Perry the prick, Bell (considered a Dino), Strayhorn (Scott McClellan's mom) and Kinky Freidman. Perry would have lost to any one but 3, like I said, he just won majority in a 4 man race.

[Javaman]

33. I can't wait till that continuation of moron* is gone. nt

[lostnfound]

61. Bell was fairly progressive IMO. I couldn't believe how many liberals

voted for Kinky. People thought Kinky was some renegade, but he's about as unRepublican as John McCain.

[sshan2525]

21. Good...

another Republican asshole who'll be unemployed himself soon.

[sasquatch]

23. Then deny them all of the money and tell them to pound sand in their asses

[redqueen]

45. Hear hear!

:grr:

[rcrush]

24. I fucking hate this state

Another reason I wish I could move.

[jtrockville]

25. I thought Governors couldn't "pick and choose"

I thought it was an "all or nothing" offer.

[Brucie Kibbutz]

32. I was thinking the same thing.

:shrug:

It should be political suicide for any politician that cuts or refuses funding for unemployment. How do these assholes keep getting elected?

[MadMaddie]

60. I did and I now live in the Seattle area

no regrets. Come on up, it is a bit cooler up here but it's a pretty nice area.

[Javaman]

30. it doesn't matter what he thinks. the governor of texas positions is inherently weak.

it's up the the Lt. Governor and the legislature to make that decision.

asshole perry once again makes himself out to be the ass tool he has always been.

[guitar man]

35. Republicans hate workers

they hate the working class and common folk in general. They hate us getting in the way of their wealth and long for the days of slavery. End of story.

[damntexdem]

38. It should be all or nothing.

And our $17 billion would likely be very welcome in most other states.

[mopinko]

41. i thought it was

i thought that there was an all or nothing provision in the package. guess not. way tooooo bad.

[Kat45]

42. That is unacceptable.

Picking and choosing which money to accept and which to reject? The funds to expand unemployment benefits are a part of the President's plan to get our country/our economy moving. Perry is screwing with the plan. He is also either mean or obtuse to not want to provide help to his hurting constituents.

[tonysam]

47. My Understanding It Was Written Into the Stimulus Package

they COULDN'T pick and choose which money to receive. It's all or nothing.

The GOPers are blathering and grandstanding. They know they are full of shit.

[Bold Sea Captain]

43. Prediction: Rick Perry will not be reelected

[sallylou666]

44. Kiss my ass, Gov. Goodhair

Gov. Goodhair can kiss my shiney hiney. God, I miss Molly Ivins. It's only because of Texas' stupid election laws that we're stuck with this asshole. :mad:

[Sultana]

46. Shit is going to hit the fan

and we should force the Repubs eat to it.

[rcrush]

48. Where does the mob of jobless protesters meet?

[Zhade]

51. Think they'll finally get rid of him?

Foolish move, perry.

Also, fuck you.

[santamargarita]

52. Why they recall this GOP fuck?

Get his fascist pig ass out of office!

[Swede Atlanta]

53. And the Republic voters of Texas deserve this......

Unfortunately many Texans who fought to defeat Perry and did not vote for him will be hurt by this political posturing by Governor Perry. But until voters in states in the deep red south get fed up with the ideological machinations of politically motivated politicians nothing will change. I feel for those voters in Texas that would be helped by an increase in their weekly benefits and an extension in this seriously depressed job market. If I were in Texas and affected by this I would be calling the governor and my representatives to put pressure on them.

I live in Georgia, another bastion of Republic idiocy. Our governor, chicken-man Perdue, threatened to turn down the money but I think realized that would be a foolish move. So at least our unemployed will get the benefits of the stimulus package.

[New Dawn]

55. But of course, he did not reject money for the RICH.

[ArcticFox]

56. Master Plan?

By failing to give aid to their poor, are the red states trying to push their people to the blue states, thereby increasing the number of republicans living in blue states?

[LynnTheDem]

59. Well let's say that LOUDLY OVER AND OVER again.

I'm sure he'll have all the support from all the unemployed Texans.

:rofl:

[and-justice-for-all]

62. Remember all those who have rejected stimulas funds..

for no other reason then political posturing. Come election time, we need to be an army of LTTE writers and remind people of who through them under the bus.

[w8liftinglady]

63. so-can anyone tell me how he chose to NOT take this money,yet take the rest?

[crimsonblue]

64. He doesn't have the right to pick and choose

the stim bill was structured in such a way that states had to take ALL or NOTHING.