Sarah Palin won't be taking 31 percent of the federal stimulus package that could help out Alaska. She says that the money is 'timely, targeted and temporary' and could have strings attached.
Palin will accept the $128 million in Medicaid stimulus. This announcement comes as
Alaska is facing a $2.6 billion deficit over this year and next from low oil prices. Almost all of the state revenues come for oil.
Fox News reports:
"I can't attest to every fund that's being offered the state in the stimulus package will be used to create jobs and stimulate the economy, so I'm requesting only those things that I know will," Palin said at a news conference at the Capitol. "Public discussion will have to ensue on all those other dollars that some will say 'you left on the table."'
Palin disappointed the education sector of her state by refusing the $160 million that was offered in education monies.
"We believe that we can make very good use of the funds, not only in job preservation but also in adding new positions to ultimately use these funds to increase student achievement for our neediest children," Anchorage Superintendent of Schools Carol Comeau said in a news release.
She is not the only Governor who's saying that they only want a portion of the money though. Mark Sanford of South Carolina and Bobby Jindal of Louisiana are also only taking a piece of the pie. Texas Governor Rick Perry is turning down $555 million of the package that would expand his state's unemployment benefits.
Arnold Schwarzenegger of California and Charlie Crist of Florida on the other hand are thankful for the package.
The Swamp reports:
"After soliciting and accepting more federal dollars per capita than any other governor in the union, Sarah Palin's decision today to deny the state of Alaska over half a billion dollars in recovery and reinvestment funds - including millions for schools, energy and public safety - appears to be nothing more than political posturing,'' said Brad Woodhouse, spokesman for the Democratic National Committee.
"At a time when her state is suffering, Alaska's working families cannot afford a governor that puts her political future ahead of the needs of the state and its families."
States have until April 3 to accept funds from the stimulus package.
