TX GOP Slashes Funding For Agency Battling Wildfires While Also Blasting Obama For Not Spending More

[villager]

TX GOP Slashes Funding For Agency Battling Wildfires, While Also Blasting Obama For Not Spending

For months, Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) has berated President Obama and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for not giving the state more federal money to combat historic wildfires that have so far burned 2.5 million acres. Despite the fact that the administration has offered 26 different kinds of federal assistance to combat the fires, Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) claimed that Obama is waging “a war on Texas.” After months of blaming the President for not doing enough, Reuters reported yesterday that Perry is poised to sign a budget that slashes funding for the state agency that is battling the wildfires.

Republicans control all three branches of government in Texas and are close to an agreement on a budget that makes deep cuts to the Texas Forest Service during an unprecedented and destructive wildfire season:

The Texas Forest Service faces almost $34 million in budget cuts over the next two years, roughly a third of the agency’s total budget. The cuts are in both the House and Senate versions of the proposed state budget. <...>

Assistance grants are likely to take the biggest hit. Volunteers — two of whom were killed in fighting this year’s fires — make up nearly 80 percent of the state’s fire-fighting force and are first responders to roughly 90 percent of wildfires in Texas.
Chris Barron, executive director of the State Firemen’s and Fire Marshals’ Association, says the funding on the chopping block is indispensable. Many volunteer fire departments already have worn-down equipment, and without funding for new equipment, “response times will almost certainly increase.”

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http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/05/21/168091/tx-gop-obama-fires/

[ceile]

1. K&R n/t

[newfie11]

2. Their insane! n/t

[NeedleCast]

3. Sister's in-laws lost their house Saturday

I'll make sure to forward this article to them...they vote Republican.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

4. They sure did. I think we need to make it a topic of local editorials.

I hate to say this, but when people can see the direct effect of what they vote for in action, such as now during this disaster, it's the best time to drive the point home.

[gratuitous]

5. You don't think all those wealthy oil men got wealthy by paying taxes, do you?

Once again, it's up to the rest of us to clean up a big mess, while the elites don't lift a finger. And don't look at them. And don't expect them to rouse themselves from their comfy berths to help pull the wagon. That's for the rabble to do. And watch out for bumps and potholes; they need their beauty rest if they're going to create all those jobs you keep harping about. But first, another round of tax cuts.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

6. Whenever I hear conservatives complain about government

I think about this exchange (best that I can remember) from "The Simpsons":

Bart: "Grandpa, where did you get the money for this?"
Grandpa: "The Government. I didn't earn it, I didn't ask for it, but if they miss one payment, I'll raise hell with them!"


I also like this other one:

Lisa: "Weren't you wondering why you were getting a bunch of money?"
Grandpa: "I figured it was because the Democrats were back in charge."