The $555 million that Perry declined to accept was earmarked for purposes of expanding unemployment benefits in Texas. Accepting the $555 million would force the state to alter the current methodology by which employment insurance eligibility is granted. Eligibility would even extend to part-time workers under the strings attached to the federal stimulus funds.

 

“Gov. Perry has, in rejecting these federal dollars, demonstrated tremendous leadership in defending Lone Star State taxpayers,” said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. “As one example of the ill-advised conditions attached to these funds – someone who voluntarily quits a job in another state, in order to follow a spouse to TX, would be eligible for unemployment benefits in TX. Even worse, Texas families, employers, and all taxpayers would be charged with footing the bill. Americans for Tax Reform praises Gov. Perry’s move to prevent this from happening.”

 

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, as well, has rejected federal stimulus dollars for precisely the same reasons as Gov. Perry. It is estimated that that federal funds would cover expanded unemployment spending for seven years. Once this one-time injection of federal funds runs out, the state would be on the hook for paying for these ramped up benefits.

 

“President Obama is trying to export the failed policies of Michigan, California, and New Jersey, which have left those state fiscally and economically devastated, to states that have governed responsibly and lived within their means like Texas.” continued Norquist. “Lone Star State Taxpayers owe a debt of gratitude to Gov. Perry for standing up to this and saying ‘no, thank you’ to this assault on their hard earned dollars.”

Way to go Governor Perry!
>> Texas Conservative Friday, March 13, 2009 5:31 PM

"Bravo". Now he needs to stand up against this movement to remove the requirement for some form of government identification to be required in order to vote. Some legislator here in Texas says that it is unfair to older people and legal immigrants but what she means is that she wants to allow people who are in this country illegally to be able to vote. I really hope someone will look into her activities as I just heard a small snippet on the newscast.
>> Celeste Achterhof Tuesday, March 17, 2009 7:22 AM

I tried to shrink it down to 500 characters and it was impossible. If you'd like to read a different take on illegal immigration either look up "An Interesting Analogy" on Google or the name CelesteJac or CelesteJak and you will be able to locate some version of it. Best Wishes, Celeste
>> Celeste Achterhof Tuesday, March 17, 2009 8:27 AM

About the posting above...stick with CelesteJac or CelesteJak...the An Interesting Analogy on immigration isn't where it used to be...hmmm, used to be up near the top but since it wasn't really politically correct it seems to have been moved. Still can find it with the other terms though.
>> Celeste Achterhof Tuesday, March 17, 2009 8:32 AM

Easiest place to find the blog is: http://celestejak.blogtownhall.com/2008/01 I used to do a lot more posting on the blog sites but since I have been ill, I haven't been as active so the postings are a bit harder to find and I've posted on many different topics. If you are interested in reading An Interesting Analogy on Illegal Immigration the easiest place to find it is posted here although if you look around on Google under CelesteJak, you will find several different versions.
>> Celeste Achterhof Tuesday, March 17, 2009 8:45 AM