Kyl Wants To Cut Off Stimulus Funding That Arizona Governor Is Already Spending
Kyl Wants To Cut Off Stimulus Funding That Arizona Governor Is Already Spending
On ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos this past Sunday, Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) argued that the $787 billion stimulus package “hasn’t helped yet. … What I proposed is, after you complete the contracts that are already committed, the things that are in the pipeline, stop it.” Watch it:
The next day Arizona Republican Gov. Jan Brewer received letters from four Obama administration officials — Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar — pointing out the billions headed for Arizonans. LaHood wrote:
The stimulus has been very effective in creating job opportunities throughout the country. However, if you prefer to forfeit the money we are making available to your state, as Senator Kyl suggests, please let me know.
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) quickly fired back on Tuesday, saying that he “strongly support the comments of Senator Kyl and call[s] on the administration to retract its threat against the citizens of Arizona.” But Brewer, who faces a massive budget deficit, a combative GOP-controlled state legislature and the prospect of arguing in favor of raising the state sales tax, has already tapped into billions of dollars made available by the stimulus package — and rejected efforts by the Arizona GOP to slash funding for education and health care. In March, Brewer announced she would accept the stimulus money, citing among many financially strapped programs the need to fund public education:
“To forgo these funds at this time would be a disservice to Arizona taxpayers who have remitted their federal taxes in good faith and have seen many of those hard-earned dollars expended for the benefit of residents of other states,” the governor wrote. “Our citizens need their fair share of those funds returned home to provide for their families during these hours of our greatest need.“
On July 8, Brewer signed legislation that secured more than $1 billion in federal education funding for Arizona. Only a few weeks earlier, Brewer announced Arizona was among the first to receive federal energy funding, which Brewer said in a press release is expected to create 1,500 jobs — and she noted more money was on the way: “After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, the state will receive an additional $27 million, for a total of $55.4 million.”
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Where does McCain get that the letters were a “threat” ?
Money is directed towards Arizona.
Kyl called for everything to be stopped, including halting the money.
Letters asked the governor if he really wanted them to stop sending the money.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:04 pmSo the stimulus is a failure but don’t take our money. Got it Johnny.
By the way, the letters from the various cabinet officials were not threats against the people of Arizona. They were a message to grandstanding blockheads like Kyl that hypocrisy will be called out. Looks like McCain took the bait and swallowed the hook.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:05 pmMcCain, like most right wingers, see threats where there are none. It’s just their cowardly paranoia rearing its head.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:06 pmKyl is so right. If the Recovery Act hasn’t worked so far, it’s never going to work.
It’s just like taking antibiotics. If the first pill doesn’t cure your infection, the entire course can’t possibly help you, so you might as well throw them out.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:08 pmSo, for the Senators, its all about political grandstanding. For the governor, its all about creating jobs for the people of the state…
So… who really is representating the will of the people in this scenario?
July 15th, 2009 at 4:10 pmSeriously, are there any intelligent so-called Republicans anywhere? And why do Repuppetcans hate education so much, hell I know the answer to that, I just want one of you so-called Republicans to tell me. What is wrong with being informed, smart, learned? When did being dumbed down become so damn cool?
RIP
July 15th, 2009 at 4:10 pmSGT Stephen R. Sherman
C CO 1-5 IN (STRYKER)
KIA 3 Feb 2005
Mosul, Iraq
Vintage McCain usualy demands an “appology” at this point because of his perceived threat…
July 15th, 2009 at 4:11 pmMcain is stoopid enough to be a troll. If President Obama does what kyl demands then he’s threatening AZ?!!?!?!?!?
July 15th, 2009 at 4:12 pmSo if Kyl and McCain want to stop stimulus money dead in it’s tracks what are they going to do to help the people of Arizona, what is there alternative?
Aren’t both of these bozos are up for re-election?
July 15th, 2009 at 4:15 pmThreat?
I didn’t see a threat.
Also, how is it a threat if what they are supposedly “threatening” is also what you are advocating? Are you saying, Senator McCain, that what the “administration” is doing is, basically, threatening to give you what you want?
With all due respect, Senator, that’s stupid.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:15 pmCome here, get away
July 15th, 2009 at 4:15 pmCome here, get away, come here
Get away, Come here
So, how would Kyl and McCain propose that Arizona addresses its dire budget needs? Just say no? That is not a policy nor will it make things better for the citizens of Arizona. Both are simply running off at the mouth. They have no plans and no solution. They need to stop being part of the problem.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:15 pm“strongly support the comments of Senator Kyl and call[s] on the administration to retract its threat against the citizens of Arizona.”
You want the administration to cease making threats so you can resume making yours, bitter guy?
July 15th, 2009 at 4:17 pmTired of Fighting says:
Seriously, are there any intelligent so-called Republicans anywhere?
NO! Intelligent republican is an oxymoron.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:18 pmTiny sea monkeys
July 15th, 2009 at 4:18 pmVacationing in John’s brain
“Nothing to see here”
smidget says:
Threat?
I didn’t see a threat.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
____________
Yeah, see, that’s cause you’re using that elitist, liberal, correct form of logic. If you use bizarro conserva-logic, it makes perfect sense.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:18 pmWhy is McNuts replying to a letter that was sent to the Governor of Arizona????!!!!
July 15th, 2009 at 4:19 pmUhh, Jon?
Governor Jan Brewer on the phone for you…
But nice political posturing. The citizens of our state will never know the difference and will probably re-elect you.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:19 pmI wouldn’t really advocate doing this to the poor citizens of Arizona – they obviously are punished enough already with the likes of Kyl and McCain representing them – but in a perfectly balanced world I would not only stop any additional monies going to Arizona, I would demand that Kyl personally figure out a way to return what monies have already been spent.
Let him use payroll deduction if necessary, but I would put all the blame on his little pin-shaped head.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:20 pmFor me this is great news. The Obama administration called Kyl’s bluff!
Kyl says – “We don’t want your money! There must be something better to spend it on than my constituents.”
So Obama’s people reply, “Really? You don’t want it? Please let us know.” and Kyl/McCain cry foul!
They want to get the money but also want to claim that they tried to refuse it. Nice try.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:20 pmwhirlaway says:
Why is McNuts replying to a letter that was sent to the Governor of Arizona????!!!!
July 15th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
___________
You know how it is with incompetent people on the Internet – always confusing Reply and Reply All…
July 15th, 2009 at 4:20 pmwhirlaway says:
——————————————————————————–
Why is McNuts replying to a letter that was sent to the Governor of Arizona????!!!!
July 15th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Because it’s the only way for him to be heard now ; the man who foisted Bible Spice Palin the bubblehead on us is now being repaid for that cynical and stupid ploy by being ignored by just about everyone………..
July 15th, 2009 at 4:21 pmGod! just the thought that McCain/Palin could be in the white house right now, makes run to the kitchen for another glass of wine.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:26 pmWhy do these two senators want Arizonans to suffer?
July 15th, 2009 at 4:28 pmEver notice how it’s the Red Welfare states who cry “give us our fair share!” the loudest?
Arizona, #19 on the list of biggest welfare states, receives $1.30 for each dollar paid into the federal system.
Interestingly enough, of the 18 states who don’t “break even” or better when it comes to dollars in vs. dollars paid, only Georgia and Texas voted for McCain. And they get $.96 and $.94 for each dollar paid, respectively.
PEACE
July 15th, 2009 at 4:32 pmSenator Kyl, another useless doofus. What is so difficult to understand about the fact that an economy can be destroyed pretty quickly by something like a real estate bubble compounded by borrowing to pay for a war and everything else in sight, per the Shrub/Darth Cheney policy, while building an economy, either by rational investment, which is impossible while all the greedheads are still in position, or by counter-cyclical spending by the government (the “stimulus” package), takes time to work out.
That concept seems very difficult for the rePubs.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:34 pmAre these guys up for re-election any time soon? It boogles the mind to know that the people of AZ still vote for these two clowns every time.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:35 pmranus69:
In their minds, I’m sure it’s some combination of making the Bush tax cuts permanent and giving more tax cuts to the wealthy.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:35 pmWhere are the birthers when you need to see if Kyl was born on Bizarro world?!
July 15th, 2009 at 4:48 pmIgnoranceIsNotBliss says:
Are these guys up for re-election any time soon? It boogles the mind to know that the people of AZ still vote for these two clowns every time.
Well, not all of us…
Kyl just got re-elected in 2006 but the Dem opponent gave it a good run. He runs again in 2012.
McCain is entrenched, but will run again in 2010.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:53 pmIt will take a bulldozer to get him out of his Senate chair.
Unless some more of you liberals want to move down here for a couple of months and help get us out of office.
spencers mom @ 25
In light of that information, I have a suggestion. Those that vote against Democrats are voting against any type of that ever-dreaded “socialist” takeover, right? It is the donor states that vote to continue donating. The receiving states are voting to cease receiving.
So. Let’s give them what they want. We can start a pool on how long it will take the first welfare-state to come back to the feds crying about their lack of ability to pay their bills without goverment help.
Perhaps with a taste of the reality those that they vote for are trying to sell, they will realize what we mean by “voting against your own best interests.” If not, then we save money, and those of us who support it can get a healthcare plan and those that fight it can keep on bankrupting themselves with medical bills.
I’m almost past the point of caring. And that’s a lot coming from a die-hard liberal, bleeding heart and all.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:56 pmSheesh. That should have read: Help us get him out of office.
Hey TP, how about an edit button?
July 15th, 2009 at 4:57 pmThere was no threat, just a followup to a previous statement of policy. Kyl and McCain both know that any money rejected by a state is redirected to another state. Just more bull$h!t posturing wanting to appear relevant and failing horribly. What makes Kyl and McCain’s actions so outrageous is their total lack of concern for the citizens of Arizona.
July 15th, 2009 at 5:54 pmI would have thought that after losing the election McCain would act more statesmanlike. I was wrong; he is just another partisan.
July 15th, 2009 at 7:57 pmMcCain is less a partisan and more a self-serving sack of ambition cum belief in his birthright.
July 15th, 2009 at 8:47 pmSorry LibertyLover, no way in hell I’d move to AZ.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:22 amAll this proves is that this administration continues to use its Chicago style threats of intimidation and bullying when they are questioned on the practices they use. B.O.’s approval ratings are falling faster then Madonna’s pants.
July 16th, 2009 at 10:37 am…here’s an idea. Let the states who want to…opt out of taking funds…but let them also opt out of sending any payments to Washington…to begin with!
July 16th, 2009 at 10:40 amHas anyone ever wondered why the first things that republicans want to do to ’save’ money is (1) cut education (2) cut health care (3) cut taxes for the wealthy?
July 16th, 2009 at 11:17 amSeems to me that they are trying to keep people (1) ignorant (2) sickly (3) help out their buddies who give them campaign funds.
HOW DOES THAT HELP AMERICA?
RealityCheck says:
…here’s an idea. Let the states who want to…opt out of taking funds…but let them also opt out of sending any payments to Washington…to begin with!
That would be fine by a lot of people in the Northeast and Midwest. The red state in the South and West get more money back than they pay in. Sounds like a good bargain to me because I live in Illinois and we get .75 cents for every dollar we pay in. A lot of red states would be forced to hike taxes and blue states could cut their taxes.
July 16th, 2009 at 11:27 amThe best comedy to be had. The Republicans in La La Land.
July 16th, 2009 at 11:35 am