Politics

On the Record: Governors Voice Support for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

By Karina

As the positive effects of the Recovery Act continue to multiply in each state, Governors?Republican and Democratic?are showing their appreciation for its success at their meeting wrapping up today in Mississippi and recently:

West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin(D) said without the federal stimulus money his state would have had to cut many services??I don?t know what they would have done without it?? [7/18/09]

“In Vermont, a quarter of our population is on Medicaid, so (the federal stimulus) was particularly welcome to shore it up over the next couple of years,” Vermont Governor Jim Douglas(R) said. [7/20/09]

“I don’t know what we would have done without it,” said Washington Governor Chris Gregoire(D). “In terms of being able to come to a budget with a deficit that we were facing, ask the voters for no new revenue and get home on time, the federal stimulus dollars were key to that?” [7/20/09]

Governor Bill Richardson(D) of New Mexico said, “? I think the first stimulus package is working?I think we should let it run its course.” [7/18/09]

“I think it’s pretty incredible that 26,000 teachers will continue to be able to work for Florida’s children because of these additional moneys…and that’s really the point: this is to help people, to help our education system, to help people with healthcare needs, and it’s the people’s money so they deserve it,” said Governor of Florida Charlie Crist(R). [7/15/09]

Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell(R) said on receiving $542 million through Education Cost Sharing Formula program, ?This is tremendous news and much-needed relief for local districts and their taxpayers. These funds will help them save jobs and provide quality education to our children?We have worked very hard to secure any and all stimulus funds for which Connecticut is eligible.? [6/9/09]

Responding to the question, ?Has the stimulus been much help?? Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels(R) said, ?Yes, it’s going to be a help?While our neighbors and cousins around the country are raising taxes and slashing services, we’re doing our best to avoid either. And so far, so good?As a governor, I don’t have a vote; my job was to use whatever Washington produced to the best advantage of our state, and that’s what we’re spending all our time on, not criticizing anybody.? [5/02/09]

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter(D) recently said, ?We believe the Recovery Act is the tidal mark where we began to reverse the (slumping economic) trend?? [7/03/09]

Full post as published by The Gavel on July 20, 2009 (boomark / email).