Gov. Rick Perry disaster is NO federal disaster

[white cloud]

The political firestorm over the Obama administration's decision not to declare Texas a disaster area has spread almost as fast as the wildfires that ignited it.

Gov. Rick Perry, who in April requested a federal disaster declaration to cover 252 of the state's 254 counties, has been joined by the state's two U.S. senators and other politicians in expressing outrage over the denial, suggesting the decision has more to do with politics than sound judgment.

The governor notes that in the past six months there were more than 9,000 Texas wildfires that scorched more than 2.2 million acres and destroyed more than 400 homes. He also points out that the president was quick to declare portions of Alabama a disaster after ravaging tornadoes -- the worst outbreak since the 1930s -- ripped through the South last month.

The fire destruction in several Texas counties was devastating by any measure. That does not necessarily make virtually the entire state eligible for a federal disaster declaration. Palo Pinto County, one of the hardest hit in recent weeks, would not qualify for federal disaster aid, County Judge Davie Nicklas said, because the vast majority of the homes destroyed were vacation houses rather than primary residences. "We're still researching whether we're missing out on other kinds of help because they didn't declare a disaster," Nicklas told the Star-Telegram. "But right now it doesn't look like we'll take a big hit because of it."

Although an argument can be made for specific counties to be designated disaster areas, it is not constructive for state officials to engage in yet another public spat with Washington.

>>>>>>>>>> more

Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/05/05/3054548/texas-argument-about-a-federal.html#ixzz1LcN15OS1

[WatsonT]

1. People here slammed texas for accepting federal aid

in light of perrys statements, I wonder if they will likewise slam the state for refusing it?

[Beststash]

2. Gov. Perry

needs to shut his trap. His stupidity is costing this state much more than money from the Feds.

Proud of Texas - Ashamed of Rick Perry

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3. I think most of

the middle class tax payers are beginning to realize this Perry Big bussiness Corp giveaway, is the cancer that is killing the working class taxpayer with big defecit and high taxes burden

[w8liftinglady]

4. and I quote.. Texas received 25 grants from FEMA for wildfire mgt

http://wildfiretoday.com/2011/05/05/texas-has-received-25-fema-grants-for-fires-this-year/

[sonias]

5. Plugging the budget holes with federal money

Perry and state lawmakers must recognize the disconnect between demanding more federal assistance for wildfires while at the same time passing bills in the Texas House and Senate that cut $34.2 million from the Texas Forest Service's wildfire program. That's a 40 percent reduction. Asking the feds to do more while the state does less is a questionable tactic for success.

They're going to do the same with the education funds they will get from the feds too. Cut money from the budget so that federal dollars will make up that money, which they will shift to other areas of the budget.

These Texas R's are masters at Enron economics and budget illusion. :grr: