Jackson Lee vows to fight for state stimulus (She criticizes Perry's reservations about accepting all of the funds)
By JENNIFER LATSON
Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
Feb. 22, 2009, 6:29PM
Doubts over Texas’ share of a massive federal stimulus package prompted a gathering of elected officials in Houston on Sunday, where U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee said she would fight to see the plan accepted here in its entirety.
The Houston Democrat organized a news conference in a Third Ward neighborhood to respond to Gov. Rick Perry’s reservations about the package, which he has said could leave Texas footing the bill for expanded public programs after stimulus money dries up.
Jackson Lee described Perry’s position as short-sighted, and said millions of Texans would be losing out if stimulus funds weren’t allowed to trickle down.
“I want those dollars moving in the coming weeks and even days,” she said. “The last thing we want to do is have the president say we’re in doubt of getting funding.”
Perry has said he would accept the bulk of the stimulus funding, but would decline anything that leaves the state with an additional burden.
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