From Sean Cockerham in Juneau --
Gov. Sarah Palin is opposing the federal stimulus plan. “I agree with the decision of Senator Murkowski and Congressman Young to vote NO on the package,” Palin said in a written statement.
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1622She said she agrees some kind of stimulus plan is needed and supports getting federal money for tax breaks and construction projects in the state. But Palin said she’s “against increased federal programs that will become a state's unfunded mandate to continue funding for generations.”
Palin and Republican state legislative leaders wrote a letter to members of Alaska’s Congressional delegation with that same concern.
Alaska Democratic Sen. Mark Begich said he’s pushing for changes to the federal stimulus plan that would allow the state to turn down money if it wants.
Palin hasn’t gone so far yet as to say she’d send money back.
Begich said he’s co-sponsoring an amendment "requiring governors or other appropriate local officials to certify that funds allocated to a state for economic recovery are reviewed to make sure they create jobs or improve the economy."
Begich said the funding needs oversight but Alaska needs the economic recovery in the bill.
State Senate President Gary Stevens said one of his anxieties is about the federal stimulus is that it could increase eligibility for Denali Kid Care. That’s the state’s health insurance program for low-income children.
“If we allow Denali Kid Care to include everyone in the state of Alaska who has an income lower than 300 percent of poverty then we might be stuck with that in the future. We want to be careful about providing programs that next year, when we are on our own, we might have to retract,” the Republican from Kodiak told reporters yesterday.
Stevens said he can understand why Alaska Rep. Don Young voted against the stimulus bill. Stevens said he was “very nervous, frankly, as a Republican, looking at what I’ve seen reported. I’m concerned if he federal government can sustain this. And I’m also concerned does this really stimulate the economy and does it add jobs.”
Senate Majority Leader Johnny Ellis, D-Anchorage, disagreed, saying Young and other stimulus opponents don’t get it.
“I think Congressman Young is out of touch with Alaskans. There is a lot of anxiety about the future of the country, economically, and the future of our state, and whether we will experience some of the negative effects the Lower 48 is feeling, we are starting to,” Ellis said.
“Congressman Young stuck with his political party and I suppose his principles. But I believe he’s out of touch with what Alaskans are thinking and fearing for the future,” Ellis said.
I'm a little confused. We have a $1.65 billion shortfall, but she doesn't want the stimulus?
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