"Money? We Don't Need no Stinkin' Money" - The Mudflats

[Blue_In_AK]

The Federal economic stimulus package which will make hundreds of billions of dollars available to states for critical infrastructure projects, has asked governors across the land to submit a list of eligible projects in their home states. Palin’s list? It’s short. Four projects that support the mythological gas pipeline, and one for the Kodiak missile launch facility. The price tag? $140 million.

There is, of course, much more money available for Alaska, but the Governor doesn’t want it. Nope. She says we need to be “mindful of the effect of the stimulus package on the national debt.” Allow me to translate for you who don’t speak Palinese. What the good governor means is that she “needs to be mindful to look like a fiscal conservative for all the people who she wants to donate to her PAC and support her presidential bid in 2012.”

And so infrastructure projects, alternative energy for rural communities, deferred maintenance on schools and universities, all get sold down the river. Everybody wave good-bye!

What say our elected officials in Juneau?

With the recession starting to be felt around the state, Senate Majority Leader Johnny Ellis, D-Anchorage, said local officials were wondering whether enough money would be coming to support the economy. “There’s some nervousness or concern or wonder out there among community leaders if Alaska is going to sell itself short or get its fair share,” he said.

What about the other side of the aisle?

Sen. President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, said the Senate was seeking a “broader reach” for the stimulus that Palin was initially seeking, but that top Senate and House leaders would meet with her today to discuss the stimulus, among other topics. “We are working with the governor hand in hand to deal with this,” he said.

How does Stevens define “broader reach”? He thinks our fair share is closer to $1.2-1.3 billion. With a “b”.

The “are you kidding me?” sentiment appears to be widespread, with many legislators weighing in, mystified at Palin’s shunning of funds that are rightfully ours according to the federal government, and desperately needed according to many Alaskans, including Alaska mayors.

“I’m snufth glubble wonshoothd about whof dah zekuthrph zat?” said House Majority Leader Rep. Kyle Johansen, R-Ketchikan.

I’m sorry Rep. Johansen, you’re going to have to speak up! We can’t hear you from under the bus!

“I’m still a little confused about where the executive branch is at!” Ah, that’s better. We hear you now. Yes, we all are. But then again, Gov. Palin hasn’t been talking much about this to you speed bumps legislators, has she? She’s too busy defining every legitimate spending project in the state as an “earmark” so she can tell all her supporters who don’t live here how much money she turned down from that spendy-type “Democrat president.” You know, the terrorist sympathizer? That one.

Read the full article HERE, in the Juneau Empire.http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/012809/sta_382463280.shtml