GOP unhappy with federal strings
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GOP unhappy with federal strings

Date: February 16, 2009
By: Theo Keith
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: Strings attached to Missouri's $4.4 billion cut of the federal stimulus package led some Republican senators to question the long-term effects of the money.

Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City.

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Not one cent of Missouri's cut of federal stimulus money comes without strings attached.

Warrensburg Republican David Pearce says those strings would push the state to expand past what it can afford when federal money disappears.

Actuality:  PEARCE2.WAV
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Description: "How flexible can we be with dollars that are coming to Missouri for us, as the Missouri legislature, to invest in Missouri work projects, for infrastructure, job creation, so that we're not tied into programs that when the money's gone, we have obligations we can't meet?"

Gov. Jay Nixon's budget director, Linda Luebbering, says Missouri will use the federal money only to stabilize programs until the economy rebounds and state revenue increases.

If President Obama signs the stimulus bill, Nixon will have 45 days to accept the money.

From the State Capitol, I'm Theo Keith.

Intro: Gov. Jay Nixon's budget director says Missouri won't use its $4.4 billion cut of federal stimulus money to expand beyond its means, but some Senate Republicans aren't so sure.

Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City. 

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Cape Girardeau Republican Jason Crowell questions the wisdom of accepting a federal stimulus package that requires expansions that are unsustainable once federal money dries up.

He asked if the legislature can reject any of the money, but the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) says only Nixon can do that.

Budget Director Linda Luebbering says the money will only stabilize programs until the economy rebounds and state revenues increase.

 

Actuality:  LUEBB.WAV
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Description: "The governor is not interested in putting money into huge expansions that we can't afford."

If President Obama signs the stimulus bill, Nixon would have 45 days to accept the funds set aside for Missouri.

The NCSL says South Carolina and Mississippi are thinking about rejecting the money.

From the State Capitol, I'm Theo Keith.