Texas cut fire department spending by 75% this year

[RamboLiberal]

Source: Raw Story

Under Gov. Rick Perry (R) this year, Texas slashed state funding for the volunteer fire departments that protect most of the state from wildfires like the ones that have recently destroyed more than 700 homes.

Volunteer departments that were already facing financial strain were slated to have their funding cut from $30 million to $7 million, according to KVUE.

The majority of Texas is protected by volunteer fire departments. There are 879 volunteer fire departments in Texas and only 114 paid fire departments. Another 187 departments are a combination of volunteer and paid.

For that reason, aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) could be more important than ever to the state where wildfires have recently been raging.


Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rawreplay/2011/09/texas-cut-fire-department-funding-by-75-percent-this-year/

---

video from local TX tv station at link. http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/texas-cut-fire-department-funding-75-percent

From March 2011:

State funding for volunteer fire departments is taking a big hit. It is going from $30 million to $7 million. Those departments are already facing financial strains.

The State Firemen’s and Fire Marshals’ Association of Texas represents 21,000 state firefighters. The Association says more than 80 percent of volunteer firefighters are reporting taking a personal hit in the budget crisis. They have started using their own money to help pay for equipment and supplies.

“We've seen budget cuts, but this is the worst time that we've ever seen,” said Executive Director Chris Barron. “As far as the budget crisis and the fuel cost stuff for example continues to go up and it doesn't help us out any whatsoever, so with the rising fuel and the budget cuts from the state it's taken a great effect. I think the citizens and the public is going to see that.”


http://www.kvue.com/video/featured-videos/Volunteer-firefighters-in-Texas-struggle-with-financial-crisis-118510059.html

[nineteen50]

1. I bet he supports the health insurance industry profits just not the fire fighters their

pension plan.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

74. WHAT A SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS WHEN WILL GROVER NORQUIST BE STOPPED

[safeinOhio]

2. Ya gotta wonder about a cowboy

that wears french cuffs.

[SteveM]

3. AND he made another of his famous debate dodges. Why? Fire! nt

[AlbertCat]

22. Why? Fire!

Yes, just what we need.

A President who can only do one thing at a time.

[LiberalFighter]

4. Are Texas fired departments funded by the state or local communities?

It seems odd on the face of it.

[RamboLiberal]

12. Obviously both

Like that in a lot of states I bet especially at volunteer level.

[jwirr]

21. Volunteer fire fighters often are given grants from state and federal

agencies for the equipment they need. However, I also know that there have been many bake sales to get equipment and other items needed. Also here in MN where there are state forests some times it is the DNR that supplies needed items knowing that if there is a forest fire these volunteers will be there to help.

[RamboLiberal]

23. A lot of them are going to miss the Federal money they got

from Homeland Security though in some cases I think it was spent foolishly on stuff that will be never/rarely used.

Also locally VFD's fund through fairs, bingos, hall rentals, even gun bashes. Volunteers put in a ton of hours.

[pasto76]

32. vollies near Colo springs bought a stupid Hummer with DHS money

yeah it looks cool, but having driven one for 12 years in the army, there are better vehicles for an FD to own and _maintain_ (for much less.

[gateley]

5. Brilliant! You reap what you sow, but it's innocent people who

have been hurt by this.

[izquierdista]

6. Some are innocent

But statistically, if you are white, Texan, and go to a Baptist church, God's been keeping score.

[Bette Noir]

36. I think you hit the sweet spot.

[Name removed]

42. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SpiralHawk]

67. Republicons DO NOT DO responsibility

just as they do not do integrity, honesty, or common sense.

[demigoddess]

7. such a smart move, Let's see, years of drought, not enough

water, and the first thing I cut is firefighters support.

:sarcasm:

[Chipper Chat]

8. This story will be coming up on Fox News tonight.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Lone_Star_Dem]

9. Heh. I saw this on twitter #centraltxfires earlier

Spread the word, folks. If we're not careful all of America could wind up like Texas. :(

[valerief]

70. That's exactly what the billionaires want. They want us all to be a Texas toilet. nt

[spinbaby]

10. Watching the fires on the nightly news now

Absolutely horrific.

[sulphurdunn]

11. In a pre-teabag (rational world)

Perry's presidential campaign would have just gone up in flames. There are lots of good people in Texas. The country should do all it can to save them despite their poor political judgement.

[Kingofalldems]

13. Nice going teabaggers--You must be so proud.

[libodem]

14. Then they get 25%

Of the fires put out.

[on point]

15. Let's see. 300 homes destroyed @ 100k each. Why that's 30 million. Great savings Perry!!

So save approx 24 million in funding, but cost conservative 30 million in damage. Great JOB!

That's how repukes figure these things out. They have no clue as to the larger picture or anything beyond their own greed.

[leftyladyfrommo]

25. It's up to 1,000 homes now. n/t

[Fla Dem]

84. How many of them now wish they didn't vote for Perry? n/t

[SoapBox]

16. And will the Limp Stream Media cover this?

...don't hold your breath at all.

Seems that they are just glowing over Gov. Crazy and his Reign of Destruction.

[kestrel91316]

17. K&R - Perry the Secessionist needs to be strung up. After a trial and conviction, of course.

[bongbong]

18. Teabagger/Beck version

"The Texas fires were set by the dirty muzzie socialist in the White House to make our Holy Idol Perry look bad! That arsonist Kenyan had better keep his government hands off my Social Security!"

[BenzoDia]

19. Yet another reason why government needs to fund services for it's people.

[tanyev]

20. Waiting for Michele Bachmann to say that God is now sending a message to Gov. Perry.

[southmost]

24. don't hold your breath

but then again Michelle is batf*ck insane

[katty]

27. yes, that will be the next installment of Insanity, Inc.

[katty]

26. o real smart..let them eat firewood?!!

[fascisthunter]

28. this alone should get the asshole recalled

not sure how TX handles recalls, but there should be one. Problem is, there are too many brainwashed in Texas to do what's right.

[OwnedByFerrets]

29. Even an atheist can come up with an apropos bible verse....

Job 4:8 "those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it". Unfortunately, its the populace that is reaping what he has sown.

[Moonwalk]

35. That population elected him. I think the bible verse still fits.

[OwnedByFerrets]

93. The only reason I put the qualifier is because I live

in a red state. Its very difficult.

[florida08]

30. My God

And he has the nerve to run for president. I am so sorry Texas. This changes things to me. Perry is as culpable for your tragedy as an arsonist.
Just dammit

[Auggie]

31. Hear that, Democratic Leadership? It's your nail for Perry's coffin.

[paparush]

33. I'm waiting for the good people of Texas to rise up and drag this fraud off the national stage.

[Moonwalk]

34. What kind of president would he be? I think this says it all....

:dunce: But then, prayer was suppose to replace all those firemen. And it woulda worked, too, if more people had believed and joined him at that prayer meeting.... :eyes: Yeah. Right.

[SharksBreath]

37. 6 billion from the stimulus and you cut their funding.

[newspeak]

81. as per Rachel's show

Texas has a constitution that apparently states the budget must be balanced. A couple of years ago, he gave more tax credits to the already not paying taxes or little taxes businesses; thus, causing a short fall. Instead of using the stimulus for services, creating public jobs or for the people who really need it, he gave it to those who are already making record breaking profits. And the people are suffering and Jaysus wept!

Whoever votes for this sociopath truly has stockholm's syndrome.

[lib2DaBone]

38. Grade B.... 1950 Cowboy Movie... Rick Perry....

Well Pards.. Ahm A-'fixin to brang them thar horses up to the big house.....

[2Design]

39. wonder if he will campaign on that

[Ruby the Liberal]

40. When did the Prayer Day for Rain happen - April?

Interesting timing.

[Name removed]

41. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[cstanleytech]

43. Maybe Gov Perry should change his first name to Nero.

[lonestarnot]

44. Eeeewww He doodied in his pants.

[Lars77]

45. Who needs fire fighters. Commies!

[madrchsod]

46. there will be people in texas that will still vote for him...

[orbitalman]

47. K & R

[PatrynXX]

thats one of those slash the funds to save money now and the costs go up big time later

Yeah that did that at work. waited so long to fix it it cost more than they had so they had to lay everyone off.

[PatrynXX]

48. thats one of those slash the funds to save money now and the costs go up big time later

Yeah that did that at work. waited so long to fix it it cost more than they had so they had to lay everyone off.

[tooeyeten]

49. Good line for his campaign

Got Fire? Bring your own water.

[Skittles]

50. actually, it should be Got Fire? PRAY FOR RAIN!!!

gawd

[moondust]

51. Ranger Rick says: Let FEMA do it!

Or neighboring states!

Whoever gets here first!

:crazy:

[Beartracks]

52. $30 mil to $7 ???? Here's a nice pic of Repub policies in action.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=883769&l=b093946362&id=161908093830061


Elections have consequences. And so do stupid policy decisions.

====================

[Zambero]

53. Was Perry expecting another miracle?

Cutting the legs out from under this state's volunteer fire organizations has had predictably disastrous results, given the increase in extreme climatic events and record drought conditions. Given the self-imposed lack of available resourves, perhaps Perry was anticipating some sort of divine intercession to help combat these infernos. Sadly, it was not forthcoming.

[newspeak]

82. and yet, The big daddy in the sky

hit NOLA with about twenty inches of rain, apparently bypassing Texas.

[krispos42]

54. It's the corporatist way... a pound of cure is more profitable than an ounce of prevention n/t

:puke:

[SomeGuyInEagan]

55. Sigh ... it's not even surprising anymore.

America ... fuck yeah!

[Enthusiast]

56. This should be laid at Perry's doorstep

and we shouldn't stop talking about it until the last vote is cast. Every Democrat calling every program should bring it up. Everyone should write a letter to the editor and it should be repeated by every single Democrat that is still drawing air to breathe. Let's bury that bizarroid under this.

[Pooka Fey]

57. Pay for fire prevention, or pay for disaster cleanup. You don't get something for nothing.

[McCamy Taylor]

58. Yeah! More Texas baggage for Perry to carry.

[liberal N proud]

59. Public workers in Ohio should use this in the fight against SB5

Proof that austerity has its consequences.

[goforit]

60. Hmmm.... If I were a home owner and/or insurance Co, I'd be

PISSED!

[stopwastingmymoney]

73. Wouldn't it be interesting

If the insurance companies sued the state govt for the claims?

[geckosfeet]

61. I think people are starting to see, you are going to pay one way or another.

It may be fires. It may be crime. It may be cuts in municipal services. It may be losing your job, increased property taxes, faltering education, crumbling roads, bridges and infrastructure.

But at some point, people realize through the lens of their own lives, that it is not a free ride.

[Botany]

62. I would like to think this will stop Perry but it will not.

George W Bush had an arrest record for stealing and DWI along w/ three failed businesses, had gone AWOL,
was a known cocaine user, and was an alcoholic but somehow he still became President.

[Cosmocat]

64. Yep ...

The entire field of candidates range from pathological liars to flat out deranged lunatics. The primary at the very least is going to be a race to the bottom. This kind of stuff, frankly, HELPS an R in the primary.

[newspeak]

83. yeah, and bought the pig farm before campaigning

and enriched his texas twang. Just someone ya'll want to have a beer with, and don't forget the bogus claim of coming to jaysus. I remember Franken questioned the guy who supposedly studied the bible with little boots and asked him what were some quotes they studied, the guy couldn't answer.

And, wearing those cowboy duds and afeared of horses. My uncle was a REAL cowboy and he loved him some horses. Also, don't forget about the alleged insider trading, it's great to have daddy's friends in high places. Just more smoke and mirrors and sideshow for the masses with a complicit MSM.

[Botany]

90. And that the cattle @ his "ranch" were rentals that ...

.... were brought in for W's time at the ranch. BTW what company helped to build Prairie Chapel Ranch?
Answer .... Enron.




George W Bush was no more of a rancher then I won the Heisman Trophy @ Ohio U.

complicit MSM

:puke:

[ooglymoogly]

95. Its called electronic "voting" machines and fixed exit polls.

[workinclasszero]

63. Perry cuts the fire dept funding...

and then prays for rain?

Really? Really, really??

buhHAHAHAHAHA!

Thats the tea party/Dominionists in action America!

Thats what they will do when they kill social security and medicare and food stamps, etc.

They will hold a big religious show!! Prayerpaloosa USA!! and pray for you as you and your kids starve to death on the street!

If the fascist tea party rethugs aren't stopped this is the future of America.

[Vinca]

65. You'd think the MSM might find this of interest.

Maybe if one of us dresses up in a costume and pins teabags to our bodies and reads the news story on the steps of the Capitol . . .

[TxVietVet]

66. The Perry Budget Mistakes. It's sick. Have a look.

http://www.washingtonspectator.org/articles/20110901budgethustle.cfm

[Odin2005]

68. Texans are reaping what they sowed. No taxes = no services.

Not that they will ever get it.

[JJW]

69. Rick Perry, You're fired!

Cowboy shoots self in foot then fiddles while San Antonio burns.

[LynneSin]

71. I can see the campaign ad now - 'While Texas burns, Perry slashes the funds needed to stop the fire'

and then trotted off to campaign for president.

I don't know about the rest of you but no more *#)^ fake cowboy Texas governors for president please.

[AllyCat]

72. But they are volunteers so they don't need any money. They can run bake sales.

to buy new fire equipment. It's all good.

Moran.

[alp227]

75. I can see anti-Perry ads with plenty of orange in the future n/t

[1776Forever]

76. Can't help it have to say this reminds me of Ben Franklin, founder of volunteer & public Fire Dept's...

He saw in his time the Fire Fighter companies, that were privately owned, going to only those houses that had "bought" their insurance from these companies and if you weren't rich enough tough luck! Now we are seeing Repub Gov's all over the U.S. going private! Don't these T Party fanatics realize that it could be them next that are looked over because they didn't have the money to pay? Voting against ones own interests is insane! Wake up or be left in the ashes!

[Pacifist Patriot]

77. That's just it.

I know way too many of these TP kooks who honestly think it will always be someone else and never them. Until it's too late of course. Hell, I know one who's collected unemployment twice in his life and still thinks government is his enemy. Dipshits.

[newspeak]

86. I was thinking the same thing

about those early day private fire companies. Of course the whole damn neighborhood could burn down with the one house left. And, being poor, to choose between food or pay some company--actually it sounds more like a protection racket.

[lunasun]

89. Bitter angry people WILL cut their nose off to spite their face!!! =reality

[skip fox]

78. RamboLiberal, Great post. I will add to Perry-Gate: The File and give you credit.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x764314

[avaistheone1]

79. And how is that working out for Texas now?

:think:

[Zorra]

80. While Perry fiddled, Texas burned. nt

[Solly Mack]

85. Damn

[Ganja Ninja]

87. Maybe they should take some of the water in the bathtub they're ...

trying to drown government in and throw it at the flames.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

88. I find it an odd coincidence the cuts equaled the amount FEMA reimburses the state.

By design or by accident?

[myrna minx]

91. K&R n/t

[benld74]

92. MUST be rerason Perry was bitchin about SLOW FEMA response, to get people lookin the other way,,,

[Clouseau2]

94. Let's not be too harsh on Rick Perry

After all, I think he is proposing to increase prayer by 200% to make up for those budget cuts!

[The Backlash Cometh]

96. This this fall under the category of a personal responsibility Epic FAIL?