Thanks Feds for saving Texas’ bacon
The NCSL reports today that of the 35 states that responded to its survey on the use of federal stimulus money, Texas comes in first. Texas accepted the most money in the program and used it to cover the state budget shortfall. We all knew Perry was just posturing/pandering when he bowed up like a big boy and talked about refusing the money. What we didn’t get to learn is just how much of the money was used to cover the budget shortfall.
Texas reported that it relied most heavily on stimulus dollars, using those dollars to provide 96.7 percent of the gap-closing solution.
What the article also tells us is that there is a $4 to $5 billion budget shortfall per year starting in 2012. While the legislators and governor proclaimed victory over the poor economy and the budget, they only postponed a looming disaster in 2012.
Here’s the other interesting news from the report:
At least 11 states (not Texas) raised taxes to close their gaps. At least eight states (not Texas) tapped their rainy day funds. Montana and West Virginia (not Texas) relied entirely on spending cuts.
So, all of the states that are NOT TEXAS were seemingly a lot more responsible. For all the fiscal conservatism in this state where were the spending cuts? Where was the “hunker down” and get through this mentality? Can’t blame that spending on the Dems, not in Texas anyway.
Cowboy up, governor. Tell the truth and let us know how bad it really was in the budget process and let’s sit down and start thinking about some hard decisions we’ll have to make in 2012. I say cut the TEA. Useless as tits on a warthog anyway.
Comments (1)
HOORAY! Thank you for pointing this out. The downright hypocrisy of Governor Good Hair and all that infernal righteous blathering about not accepting government funds.