You knew the states would come back for more

[BDKJMU]

Senate Sends $26.1 Billion Education, Medicaid Package to House
http://news.yahoo.com/s/cq/20100805/pl_ ... s3719202_1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks to RHINOS Snowe and Olympia Obama gets to make a 10 billion election year bailout to the teachers unions...

A year and a half ago when the 787 billion porkulous bill was passed you knew when the $ ran out the states would come back, "Please sir may i have some more?"

Finally after this next election come next year there won't be any more bailouts for the states, unemployment won't continue to be extended ad nauseum...

[Skjellyfetti]

Finally after this next election come next year there won't be any more bailouts for the states

Uhm, yeah, there will be. Even the most wealthy of states are barely staying afloat. That's not changing anytime soon.

And Texas's deficit could be passing California's shortly... with one of the model Republican "fiscal conservatives" running things.

[OL FU]

Assuming we need to do this stuff, how much of the stimulus appropriation has not been spent and why can't the money come from that instead adding additional appropriations.

[Col Hogan]

Why can't states pay their own bills???

When did it become the federal governments respnsibility to help reelect governors who don't have the balls to either cut spending or raise their own taxes...

[ATrain]

Why can't states pay their own bills???

When did it become the federal governments respnsibility to help reelect governors who don't have the balls to either cut spending or raise their own taxes...

Governors in Virginia aren't re-elected. Quite frankly I don't know how the federal government can pay the states bills when the fed can't even pay its own bills.

[GannonFan]

Assuming we need to do this stuff, how much of the stimulus appropriation has not been spent and why can't the money come from that instead adding additional appropriations.

I agree - I don't understand this resistance to use stimulus money that is still already approved and still unspent. It's like going to the ATM machine for more money to cover dinner when you already have several hundred dollars in your wallet. I thought the GOP had a good point when they stalled the unemployment extension (well, not stalling it, but the asking of the question) of why don't we use the already approved but not anywhere close to spent money to fund these things, especially since we're classifying them as stimulants to the economy.

[GannonFan]

Why can't states pay their own bills???

When did it become the federal governments respnsibility to help reelect governors who don't have the balls to either cut spending or raise their own taxes...

Governors in Virginia aren't re-elected. Quite frankly I don't know how the federal government can pay the states bills when the fed can't even pay its own bills.

Well, many states are not allowed, by law, to deficit spend. The federal government, on the other hand, prints money so they have that power in their backpocket.

[ATrain]

Governors in Virginia aren't re-elected. Quite frankly I don't know how the federal government can pay the states bills when the fed can't even pay its own bills.

Well, many states are not allowed, by law, to deficit spend. The federal government, on the other hand, prints money so they have that power in their backpocket.

From a legal standpoint I get it, from a fiscal standpoint it seems like paying someone else's mortgage and car payments when you can't even make your own.

[GannonFan]

Well, many states are not allowed, by law, to deficit spend. The federal government, on the other hand, prints money so they have that power in their backpocket.

From a legal standpoint I get it, from a fiscal standpoint it seems like paying someone else's mortgage and car payments when you can't even make your own.

Granted, that's true, but it's been par for the course for decades in this country.

[BDKJMU]

Finally after this next election come next year there won't be any more bailouts for the states

Uhm, yeah, there will be. Even the most wealthy of states are barely staying afloat. That's not changing anytime soon.

And Texas's deficit could be passing California's shortly... with one of the model Republican "fiscal conservatives" running things.

Uhm, no it won't. 2 more non Rhino Republican votes in the Senate and this doesn't pass. And the Republicans will have far more than 2 more votes in the Senate when the next Congress is seated come Jan 2011, to say nothing of possibly controlling the House.

As someone else already said, its not the Fed's job to bailout the states (that goes to private companies too).

[CID1990]

Assuming we need to do this stuff, how much of the stimulus appropriation has not been spent and why can't the money come from that instead adding additional appropriations.

1. Because that's not how it works.

2. Careful.. you're messing with SK's sacred cow.

[Grizalltheway]

Why can't states pay their own bills???

When did it become the federal governments respnsibility to help reelect governors who don't have the balls to either cut spending or raise their own taxes...

Montana has a balanced budget, and a Democratic governor to boot.

[dbackjon]

Arizona has overwhelming Republican Legislature, Govenor, long time "small government" tax structure, and we are a mess.

Republicans worship anti-tax, and ignore their constitutional oath to education (which is enshrined in Arizona's constitution)

[OL FU]

The states probably wouldn't be in a mess if not for the fact that the federal government removes so much economic output from the system. Due to the amount the federal government spends (also known as taxes) the states cannot further obligate their citizens to additional costs.

[TheDancinMonarch]

The states probably wouldn't be in a mess if not for the fact that the federal government removes so much economic output from the system. Due to the amount the federal government spends (also known as taxes) the states cannot further obligate their citizens to additional costs.

Ah c'mon. There are plenty of rich people to plunder to support the moochers. Tax away! Tax us all into oblivion.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Why can't states pay their own bills???

When did it become the federal governments respnsibility to help reelect governors who don't have the balls to either cut spending or raise their own taxes...

Montana has a balanced budget, and a Democratic governor to boot.

It doesn't matter if it's a dem or repub in MT. It's always balanced ain't it?