Jackson Free Press

Mississippi House Speaker Billy McCoy offered a public plea Thursday to Gov. Haley Barbour to accept federal money offered through a proposed congressional stimulus package worth more than $800 billion. The House is considering the package to jump-start the faltering national economy. "We're in a recession the likes of which we haven't seen for many, many years. We've been very encouraged with the stimulus package thus far, and we're appreciative of the president. But we've been very disturbed at the recent news of our governor considering not taking part of the stimulus package," McCoy said, referring to the House proposal that had not yet passed the Senate Thursday.

McCoy added that he had not spoken with Barbour in detail on the governor's hang-ups with the proposal.

Barbour's press secretary Dan Turner said Barbour was leery of accepting a federal gift that could contain more costs than coverage.

"The state is certainly in a financial crunch, but we don't want to accept money with strings attached if those strings aren't helpful to the state long term. If the strings create a new program that the state must fund into perpetuity it might not be the wisest thing to accept the funds," Turner said.

"Say you're selling a car. and I buy it sight unseen, then I find out that it needs thousands of dollars of work. We're not going to obligate ourselves to something that isn't solid. Once we see it, the governor will do whatever's best for the state. … This is prudent financial management."

Barbour had expressed anxiety at the idea of a House stipulation demanding that any state accepting the stimulus money provide unemployment insurance to part-time workers, among other things.

McCoy said the governor was willing to ignore the stipulation because "the governor's never been without a job."

"He doesn't understand what it's like to be unemployed, unable to pay your bills, or to have a mother who needs medicine and can't get it. He doesn't understand that. I hope he never does, but there are thousands of people who don't have a job, who can't pay for their home, car or insurance, and we've got a package that helps them," McCoy said, adding that a myriad of state systems would also benefit from the package.

"We would see improvements in transportation, and education, economic development and law enforcement. The package covers every major facet that government is supposed to be involved with," McCoy said.

"We're pleased that Medicaid is receiving special attention from Congress, that K-12 is receiving extra special attention from Congress, and our infrastructure and highways and roads are receiving special attention. What part of it do we not like? That's a question that begs an answer."

Rep. Warner McBride, D-Courtland, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, said the stimulus package is also aimed directly at infrastructure development—of which Mississippi is in desperate need. He said House members were already speaking with congressional House members to prod them on Mississippi's infrastructure shortfalls, despite the governor's cold feet.

"A few weeks ago we had a big bridge failure. Looking at the report, it's obvious that the bridge was deficient, and there was just no capital to repair that structure, so that's why we're joining to meet the Washington delegation to tell them the importance of the stimulus package to our state, and the funds coming directly to the Department of Dransportation," said McBride, adding that he believed MDOT would "receive $350 million," which would create "an additional 10,000 jobs."

"That's a definite economic impact on our state," McBride said.

As eager as the House may be, McBride and McCoy both said the House would not be framing appropriation bills this session around any anticipated stimulus money that the governor may yet reject. And McBride added that the House would not be filling any deficit holes in any state budget this year with nonexistent stimulus money.

"Speaker Pelosi made plain on our trip to Washington that this money could not be a supplanting of funds. You would not be able to offset a deficit with these funds. These are supposed to be above and beyond current funds, otherwise you would not create a stimulus," McBride said.

Previous Comments

ID

143336

Comment

I noticed the CL had an article on this, too.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2009-02-05T22:25:27-06:00

ID

143370

Comment

Bennie Thompson is fighting for our State to get the funds to create jobs for Mississippians and to assist in tax short falls while protecting Medicare and funds for children educations and health needs and the Govenor wants to place stipulations, Why? Is this his attempt to put his self in the position to get controll of the stimulus funds. He controlled the federal funds from Kathrina and you see how he handle those funds. People still are living in FEMA Trailers and millions have been paided out to out of state companies to rebuild the coast and people here, especially woman, minorities and small businesses. How much of these federal funds went to associate of the Govenor or to member of his family? Barbour wants to tell Mississippi "Let's Go Walking" then he needs to go walking through Mississippi and see how many citizens are suffering while he wants to dictate the conditions of how "HE" will accept the funds. This is why we one of the poorest states in the USA!!!!

Author

Tony Davis

Date

2009-02-06T20:41:16-06:00

ID

143373

Comment

I just can't help but wonder what Barbour's political aspirations are on the national level. Like a lot of other Republicans who are seemingly putting party first, country second with an eye toward 2012, Barbour appears to be favoring a Republican agenda over the real needs of the state. There will be consequences to this enormous stimulus package, but weighed against the costs of doing the same old same old, I think the social imperative trumps.

Author

chaffeur

Date

2009-02-07T12:03:42-06:00

ID

143374

Comment

From what I can find out about the bill, it's 90% pork. Even if the states are getting an extra $79 billion to patch holes in education budgets, how do you make up the money next year?

Author

Ironghost

Date

2009-02-07T14:08:21-06:00

ID

143377

Comment

Oink, oink -- of course it's mostly pork. The whole idea behind that part of the stimulus package is for each state to tailor the spending on projects beneficial to that particular state in order to boost the local economies. Why do people always decry pork -- prepared the right way, it can be quite tasty.

Author

chaffeur

Date

2009-02-07T16:58:08-06:00

ID

143380

Comment

People need help now and Barbour is using this stimulus package to manipulate his on adgenda and not for the good f the people. Barbour keep saying let's go walking Mississippi then he should do more walking and see that his people need help now and not later.

Author

Tony Davis

Date

2009-02-07T18:46:54-06:00

ID

143386

Comment

I also keep wondering why people accuse Barbour of manipulating things when the Democrats have put the US in hock for a trillion dollars for a bill which will do very little to fix the crisis. Social Programs won't help us.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2009-02-07T23:45:39-06:00

ID

143387

Comment

And what, pray tell, will help us? Continuing the failed economic policies of corporate tax rate cuts and cuts in the capital gains tax rate as favored by the Republicans? The after-tax income of businesses doesn't necessarily create an incentive for them to spend more on labor or produce more because production depends on the ability to sell output. Not much output is being bought these days. As for capital gains tax cuts, these go mostly to high-income households who are more likely than lower income households to save rather than spend any new revenue they receive. Where's the economic stimulus there? And if we're going to talk about the Democrats putting us in hock, let's not forget to include the debt created by Republicans to fund an illegal war.

Author

chaffeur

Date

2009-02-08T00:58:41-06:00

ID

143388

Comment

Were the stimulus actually aimed at the economy and not half a zillion Near and Dear Pork projects, it would be better. As it is, it's not.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2009-02-08T02:55:46-06:00

ID

143389

Comment

How can we point the finger at the Democratic Party for the problems with the economy? We went to war because of Weapons of Mass Destruction, there were none to be found! Corporate Big Wigs received millions of dollars in salaries and bonuses while their companies mislead million of stockholders and again no one wants to take the blame but all they want to do is point the finger. People die and suffer through two hurricanes and our then President couldn't even get them to bring water to them and people died. We still good hard working people that in the greatest Country in the world have to make a choice been eating or their medicines! People needs jobs, homes, health insurance and faith restored in our country if we are to get back on the right track. It's time to finds solutions to these problems and to make sure that our future generations will not have to deal with hunger and that they all be able to get good educations to make our country stronger. Take the money and use it to help people and not make certain people rich!!

Author

Tony Davis

Date

2009-02-08T11:56:30-06:00

ID

143390

Comment

90+% of Republicans (the party of so-called fiscal responsibility and smaller gov't) have been porking the American taxpayer for over a decade. It's the Washington way, no matter which party is in power.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2009-02-08T15:24:38-06:00

ID

143391

Comment

At least the democrats make no such claims to restraint or financial expertise, right? They're proud to be the party of "Tax and Spend".

Author

Ironghost

Date

2009-02-08T15:40:20-06:00

ID

143395

Comment

And apparently the GOP is proud to be the party of "Borrow and Spend".

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2009-02-08T21:42:14-06:00

ID

143396

Comment

Jeff, let's please not lay the blame for the credit crunch at the Republican HQ. It can be proven that the Credit Collapse is a democratic concept. My original point in all this is that I'm leery of any national party organizing any effort to bypass opposition governors. You either work with the state or don't, simple. I imagine if the Republicans were doing this, you'd cry foul.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2009-02-08T21:47:56-06:00

ID

143397

Comment

hey people if you look at the stimulus. a little over 40% of the package is tax cuts for individuals, families, businesses and local,state governments. also, when you talk about spending..most of it is an enhancement of current programs that have been consistently underfunded. it doesnt include new coverage or an expansion of benefits for medicaid. it's just a change in the current matching rate. people who talk about pork i ask where is the pork when you are sending money k-12 and higher education. where is the pork when you are trying to increase a deficient infrastructure. where is the pork when you are trying to modernize healthcare. these are only a few questions you should think about when you examine the actual bill vs going by what you hear. just a thought. yes, i do think there are some programs/projects that shouldnt be include in the stimulus because they should be separate bills but i am sure that will be worked out when the bill goes to conference. overall, the purpose of the bill is to preserve and/or create 3-4 million jobs. once people feel like they can work or make more money you will see consumer confidence rise which may open up lending. now that is the purpose of a stimulus.

Author

bookerdaboy

Date

2009-02-08T22:02:27-06:00

ID

143398

Comment

It can be proven that the Credit Collapse is a democratic concept. Iron, you need to do some homework, and stop being such a Republican apologist. Let the chips fall where they may, and really do.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2009-02-08T22:12:08-06:00

ID

143401

Comment

Jeff, let's please not lay the blame for the credit crunch at the Republican HQ. It can be proven that the Credit Collapse is a democratic concept. For 6 years we had a republican congress and republican president. Hundreds of conservative economists were telling us that we needed to cut spending if we were going to continue to cut taxes, but we did not and instead borrowed money from ChiComs to finance Bush's Iraq misadventure. And republicans were as complicit as liberal Demoncrats in creating the mortgage meltdown. NOW they want to lecture the American people about fiscal responsibility?

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2009-02-09T08:20:50-06:00

ID

143402

Comment

a little over 40% of the package is tax cuts for individuals, families, businesses and local,state governments. I don't know which version of the bill you are talking about but 40% of $900 Billion would be $360 Billion. The Wall Street Journal says there are $20 Billion in Tax cuts for business and since local and state governments don't pay federal taxes that would leave a $340 Billion dollar tax cut for individuals and families. I haven't seen anything anywhere that talks about anything like that. The bill is laden with pork. From the Wall Street Journal: "There's $1 billion for Amtrak, the federal railroad that hasn't turned a profit in 40 years; $2 billion for child-care subsidies; $50 million for that great engine of job creation, the National Endowment for the Arts; $400 million for global-warming research and another $2.4 billion for carbon-capture demonstration projects. There's even $650 million on top of the billions already doled out to pay for digital TV conversion coupons." After citing the 12% of the bill that can actually be called economic stimulus the article goes on: "Most of the rest of this project spending will go to such things as renewable energy funding ($8 billion) or mass transit ($6 billion) that have a low or negative return on investment. Here's another lu-lu: Congress wants to spend $600 million more for the federal government to buy new cars. Uncle Sam already spends $3 billion a year on its fleet of 600,000 vehicles. Congress also wants to spend $7 billion for modernizing federal buildings and facilities. The Smithsonian is targeted to receive $150 million; we love the Smithsonian, too, but this is a job creator?" And it goes on and on. This is all Washington B.S. put a little economic stimulus in a wish list and call it a recovery act. It can be proven that the Credit Collapse is a democratic concept. Credit collapse isn't a Democratic concept it's an American one. This was bound to happen with the way American's consume without regard to the cost. Personal savings are almost non-existent and now we are worried about how to get more credit so we can consume more that we can't afford to pay for. I am ready to believe we need the economy to collapse just so we will stop and figure out that we should be able to pay for the things we need and want before we buy them. This so called stimulus plan is just more of the same. We will borrow the money for these programs because we want them. What happens if it doesn't work and revenues to the fed continue to fall? How will we pay our debts? Does anyone even care that our children and grandchildren will have to pay for our lack of discipline?

Author

WMartin

Date

2009-02-09T08:34:03-06:00

ID

143404

Comment

i am speaking specifically about the house version. honestly, it is really worthless to discuss possible outcomes because the bill will change considerably during conference. Instead of relying upon media, a look into the bill itself would provide greater insight. for example, the funds for the national endowment of arts is for decreasing the number of nonprofit sector job losses. if i am not mistaken, part of the stimulus is to preserve or create jobs. amtrak infrastructure is very important to people who work in the northeast. considering that most people in the northeast utilize amtrack for commuting it would seem that an up-to-date infrastructure would be important. also, child care subsidies are important in keeping people employed. some people, actually have to pay a sitter to keep their children. if you work in a low paying position, which includes the working poor, a high percentage of your pay goes towards child care. also, you will get the greatest return on investment in infrastructure which includes mass transit and energy. if you look at data on moody, for ever dollar invested in infrastructure, you will get an ROI of about 1.49 compare to 1.02 for every dollar invested in tax cuts. at this point, it would seem that the conversation would move past democratic or republican concepts and move toward an American concept of spurring economic growth.

Author

bookerdaboy

Date

2009-02-09T09:02:51-06:00

ID

143405

Comment

$2 billion for child-care subsidies I don't have a problem with that at all. One of the main reasons some people, particularly women, may not be in the workforce or are under-employed is because of the cost of child care. I don't know exactly how this works, but if this money can go to families, then it's worth it. Despite the economy, there are still some jobs out there and perhaps those who can go into workforce with affordable child care available can now fill those jobs.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2009-02-09T09:39:07-06:00

ID

143406

Comment

Another thing to be pointed out: "Most of the rest of this project spending will go to such things as renewable energy funding ($8 billion) or mass transit ($6 billion) that have a low or negative return on investment. Again, we need to be able to ween ourselves off of foreign oil as soon as possible and we need to invest in mass transit. The price of gas is bound to go back up, maybe even to the level we saw last summer, maybe even higher. Mass transit ridership went way up because of it. Plus, many people would rather not drive in heavy traffic if they had other options. We're light-years behind Europe on mass transit. We should already have light-rail service going all across the country. It's amazing how we can spend money to rebuild Iraq's infrastructure (which we should have since we destroyed it), but somehow it's bad to spend that money here in the good ol' U.S. of A.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2009-02-09T09:45:17-06:00

ID

143409

Comment

Golden, Whether or not those things are good is beside the point. Are they economic stimulus? Are they what's needed to avert "...a 'catastrophe' without urgent action."? This is how this bill of goods is being sold. Mass transit is a good thing, Childcare for working families and single parents is a good thing, energy independence is a good thing but I don't think those will create many jobs in the near future. Baquan, I see your point totally. If this does get passed and obviously some form of it will. Our great and exalted leaders must do something to justify their paychecks. But when the final version does get passed Barbour would have to be a raving lunatic to opt Mississippi out. It sounds more like posturing to try and come off like a Republican who has some shred of fiscal conservative ideology left when we all should know that's a fiction.

Author

WMartin

Date

2009-02-09T10:36:04-06:00

ID

143411

Comment

I just got an email from President Obama, but it wasn't asking for another donation. It is a video of Governor Tim Kaine answering questions about the stimulus plan. I thought it was timely and informative so I thought I would share. Enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP9ZOQ5gIYw

Author

WMartin

Date

2009-02-09T12:06:40-06:00

ID

143412

Comment

Golden, Whether or not those things are good is beside the point. Are they economic stimulus? Are they what's needed to avert "...a 'catastrophe' without urgent action."? This is how this bill of goods is being sold. We had a bill of goods sold to us by the previous administration about going to war in Iraq and what did we get in return? Not a damn thing, except for worsening economic conditions and crumbling infrastructure here. Money that could've already been put to good use here was sent over there. I also think many who oppose the stimulus bill are wanting to see something happen right now. It's not gonna happen overnight. We might as well start now.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2009-02-09T12:18:53-06:00

ID

143413

Comment

[quote]Iron, you need to do some homework, and stop being such a Republican apologist. Let the chips fall where they may, and really do. [/quote] Donna, I'm not budging from my view that this so-called "Stimulus" package is bad news for the nation. It'll indebt us for generations and generations to come, if not cause national bankruptcy. All I've seen so far are democrats defending a democratic policy with partisan logic. Our problem is credit and we're spending money we don't have on everything else. Bloomberg has the total cost of mortgage bailout at 9.7 Trillion. And they are going to stick us with that bill.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2009-02-09T12:22:24-06:00

ID

143417

Comment

Iron, I think that is the total of all of the "bailouts" with the stimulus thrown in as well. I also think it's ironic that we are going to borrow the money to fix our credit problem. It's like consolidating your bills onto a credit card, I wonder which predatory lending institution will be carrying our note.

Author

WMartin

Date

2009-02-09T12:44:31-06:00

ID

143418

Comment

Isn't it ironic that there was not a single MS Senator who said anything about the 12 Billion we were/are spending monthly in Iraq(Bush's trumped up war)? Barbour is talking as if things are going better for MSians than any other state in the Nation. I don't understand how he can justify cutting Medicaid, education and allowing the doors to close at our Boy's and Girl's Clubs here. This is insane. Could it be that Barbour sees the acceptace of money from "Obama" as a racial smack-down? Or, is this the Amen corner for Rush Lumbaugh? Just asking!

Author

justjess

Date

2009-02-09T13:37:08-06:00

ID

143419

Comment

at this point, anyone familiar with the current MS budget problems would understand that Ms is in desperate need of a stimulus. Regardless of what is thought about a federal stimulus package, common sense would tell you that Ms would benefit greatly from enhanced funding in education, k-12 and higher ed modernization, a change in medicaid matching rate, infrastructure funding, increase funding in rural development programs, funding for clean water to name a few.

Author

bookerdaboy

Date

2009-02-09T13:39:41-06:00

ID

143421

Comment

Regardless of my distaste for the size of the Stimulus/American Recovery Act, as a Mississippian I would prefer to see Gov. Barbour act to accept the funds being offered to the state rather than grandstand on partisan defiance. I would rather see federal taxpayer money (which includes monies collected from Mississippians) allocated for our state used to improve our state's infrastructure and shore up budget holes instead of diverted to other states.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2009-02-09T14:50:46-06:00

ID

143444

Comment

Great point Jeff Lucas and I hope that we are not just preaching to the choir here. I did follow through on contacting Thad's office to ask for support of the stimulus and to stop the game playing. I also tried, without success, to get Gov. Barbour's office. baquan2000, your "Mississippi Mud Pie" scanario is analogous to "LET THEM EAT CAKE." This is INSANE! Don't give up on us. We can and will do better; however, I am tired of the "MS MUD."

Author

justjess

Date

2009-02-10T09:47:02-06:00

ID

143447

Comment

If the stimulus passes, Mississippi better damn well collect its money. Our state gets far more paid to it that we pay into the system. Only a fool would turn down free money.

Author

QB

Date

2009-02-10T10:24:04-06:00

ID

143448

Comment

I watched the President's press conference last night. It made me remember why I supported him in the first place. It's going to be difficult to not just think of him as the same old kind of politician. The more visible he is and acting Presidential the easier it's gonna be to become accustomed to the fact that this is someone different than we are used to. I am willing to admit I was wrong about the stimulus package. I appreciated his explanations of why the stimulus bill is structured the way it is and while I'm still a little skeptical and worried about the size I think we have to try something. I also believe our new President has the right idea. This crisis is unprecedented in scope so there is no roadmap or recent history to draw from. I lifted this chart from Speaker Pelosi's website but it shows how bad this recession is. It shows job losses over time compared to recent recessions. Governor Barbour needs to listen to the new President. The time for politics as usual is over and partisan obstructionism will not help our people. Let's put people back to work and get moving in the right direction again.

Author

WMartin

Date

2009-02-10T10:30:46-06:00

ID

143449

Comment

No, this has not happened and guess what, until it is made a National ISSUE, it won't. MS is stuck in the War of the Confederacy and there are still too many who are willing to continue that fight. We saw the war fought all over again when MSians voted on the confederate flag. How could you even put that to a vote. The war was lost by the South. The flag was canned and other than to be put on display in a museum or in a confederate park (Vicksburg) why is it flying over so many buildings? There are people here in the State's office who refuse to mention President Obama's name. It's almost like, if I don't say it; it will go away.

Author

justjess

Date

2009-02-10T10:33:49-06:00

ID

143451

Comment

...but when I read comments like the one posted by WMartin, I am encouraged. I also listened to the speech and had similar thoughts. The President is taking his message to the people and the people will have to take it to the polls. This is the only thing that will get positive traction.

Author

justjess

Date

2009-02-10T10:57:15-06:00

ID

143455

Comment

Where are we in the investigation of Gov.Haley Barbour and his spending of the millions that were given by the feds for Katrina? Residents continues to live in Fema trailers. Maybe this is why Barbour doesn't want anymore stimuli. Remember, keeping an underclass is how the South continues its pseudo-sovereignty. In essence, we need to know where the billions are that Rachel Maddow talked about on MSNBC last evening. She reported that over half of the money has not been spent. WHERE IS THAT MONEY?

Author

justjess

Date

2009-02-10T12:05:09-06:00

ID

143457

Comment

Justjess- totally off topic but the Vicksburg National Park is a U.S. Military Cemetery there aren't but a few Confederates buried there and they were buried there by mistake. It was just for Civil War Union soldiers orginially , but soldiers from later wars up to Korea are buried there and some of their families.The Confederate dead are buried in the Cedar Hill Cemetery,"Soldiers Rest" in Vicksburg.

Author

BubbaT

Date

2009-02-10T12:18:03-06:00

ID

143462

Comment

I know BubbT. I was born and raised in Vicksburg. The whole town is a confederacy, starting from the flag waving on the hotel just as you exit 4B. The flag follows all the way to Washington Street. There is a yearly re-enactment of the Civil War and the men and women who play their parts are as as serious as the Northern Star. It just doesn't matter.

Author

justjess

Date

2009-02-10T13:19:57-06:00

ID

143463

Comment

The G O V "Betta hav my money." LOL!

Author

justjess

Date

2009-02-10T13:23:07-06:00