Dem Gov. Bredesen may reject Obama's Stimulus Money

[SuperTrouper]

Phil Bredesen may become the first Democratic governor to reject some funding earmarked for his state in the stimulus package.

Tennessee Gov. Bredesen, who is reported to be on the shortlist to take over the Department of Health and Human Services, told a Tennessee newspaper he had concerns similar to those of Republican governors who have suggested they would not take all the stimulus money.

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R), Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R), Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue (R) and Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) have all said they are concerned that taking additional money for their states' unemployment benefits programs would force them to expand those programs in perpetuity.

"We are evaluating this piece of money, whether it makes sense for us to take it," Bredesen told the Chattanooga Times Free Press. "We may well be one of the states that say we can't take on that portion of it."

Tennessee would be slated to receive $141 million tagged for expansion of the state's unemployment benefits. That's a fraction of the $4.3 billion the state would get from the stimulus package, but no small amount of money, either.

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/bredesen-says-he-may-reject-funding-2009-02-25.html
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[anonymous171]

1. Good. Give it to Cah-lee-phone-ya instead. nt

[Captain Hilts]

2. Another Southern Governor who is more interested in power than in people. nt

[tekisui]

4. ..whose decision will result in less power for them and their people.

[Captain Hilts]

6. Like that one they made in 2000. nt

[RepublicanElephant]

3. hopefully he's off any list for hhs! nt

[TornadoTN]

8. He never should have been on it to begin with

He's got a whole boatload of baggage with his private sector dealings in the healthcare industry.

[xxqqqzme]

5. What the hell s wrong w/ these idiots?

Food stamps and unemployment provide the best return for the money and that is all money sent LOCALLY. WTF, I just don't get it.

[TornadoTN]

7. This state is losing its fucking mind - *ALSO CLARIFICATION OF HIS COMMENTS*

I've been a Bredesen supporter up until the primaries of 2008. He's done nothing since then but play Republican. He might as well switch parties now and get it over with, because that's all he is right now.

I'd really like to know what happened to him in early 2008 to make him change so much. The Bredesen of today is not the Bredesen of 2 years ago. This guy had so much potential and he's squandered it all on his way out the door. This state isn't getting more Republican, it's just not seeing a damn difference between the two parties when it comes to state and local elections.

*Edit* He's saying that he doesn't want to take on the responsibility of the unemployment benefits provision of the stimulus package. He likes the rest of the bill, but he's trying to pick and choose what he wants and doesn't want because it gives Tennessee the the responsibility of picking up the slack after the 2 year period is up.

It's pathetic that he's doing this, but he's not coming out against the entire stimulus package.

[Hutzpa]

9. Who said he is a Democrat

he is a wolf in a sheep clothen...fuckin twat.

[Clio the Leo]

12. No, he's actually a pretty decent guy........

.... I dont know what's gotten in to him .... but I know who's gotten TO him.

[wellstone dem]

10. On behalf of the State of Minnesota

we will take any benefits others refuse.

[Clio the Leo]

11. Ok, here's my letter.... tell me what you think....

Lemme know if you see any typos of if I'm totally wrong on something....

Governor Bredesen,

I am writing urging you to ACCEPT ALL of the money provided for in the ARaRA.

As a businessperson, I am dependent on my customers to be able to afford my products. If I dont have cash flowing in, it will not matter whether or not there's an increase in small business taxes on unemployment benefits. We NEED to get money flowing NOW and the poor people of our state are already being burdened enough.

There is a tide of partisaned showmanship running rampant across the South and the people of the State of Tennessee are counting on you to buck that trend. As a former resident of Middle Tennessee, I have long admired you since you were the Mayor of Nashville. I have always considered you to be a common sensed man who's primary concern was for ALL of the people and not just those who could, quite literally, afford to complain the loudest.

Please dont forget less fortunate now, when they need you the most.

Thank you
Marianne
Chattanooga