Quote:
Original post by Chris Reynolds
What would be your reaction if somebody told you to pay for something you couldn't afford?
As described in this story:
Spending the U.S. stimulus: states can't afford it?
If the person handing down orders passed along 100 times as much money than it cost to carry out those orders, I would be quite excited.
Here's the GAO report:
April 2009: Recovery Act: As Initial Implementation Unfolds in States and Localities, Continued Attention to Accountability Issues Is Essential:Quote:
Nationwide:
Fiscal year: 2009; Amount: $48.9 billion.
Fiscal year: 2010; Amount: $107.7 billion.
Fiscal year: 2011; Amount: $63.4 billion.
Fiscal year: 2012; Amount: $23.3 billion.
Fiscal year: 2013; Amount: $14.4 billion.
Fiscal year: 2014; Amount: $9.1 billion.
Fiscal year: 2015; Amount: $5.7 billion.
Fiscal year: 2016; Amount: $2.5 billion.
State: Texas;
Fiscal Year 2008 FMAP: 60.56;
Fiscal Year 2009 FMAP, first two quarters: 68.76;
Difference: 8.20.
State: Texas;
Medicaid FMAP: $1,448,824;
Highways: $2,250,015;
States Fiscal Stabilization Fund: $2,662,203.
State: Texas;
FMAP grant awards: $1,448,824;
Funds drawn: $665,665;
Percentage of funds drawn: 45.9
State: Texas;
Amount apportioned: $2,250;
Amount obligated: $534;
Percent of apportionment obligated: 24;
Number of projects: 159.
Texas State Auditor's
Office plans to hire 10 additional staff.
Texas state officials noted that state agencies plan on using existing staff to
manage the stimulus funds.
* As of April 3, 2009, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(CMS) had made approximately $1.45 billion in increased FMAP grant
awards to Texas;
* As of April 1, 2009, the state has drawn down about $665.7 million,
or 46 percent, of its initial increased FMAP grant awards;
* Texas was apportioned about $2.25 billion for highway infrastructure
investments on March 2, 2009, by the U.S. Department of Transportation;
* As of April 16, 2009, the U.S. Department of Transportation had
obligated $533.7 million for 159 projects in Texas;
* Texas was allocated about $2.66 billion from the initial release of
these funds on April 2, 2009, by the U.S. Department of Education;
Assessing the effects of spending: Texas officials commented that--
under the state's performance-based budgeting process--agencies already
have measures in place for assessing the performance of programs.
Officials also believe that the state's current monitoring and control
processes and procedures are adequate to administer initiatives funded
under the Recovery Act.
Overall, throughout the multiyear time frame covered by the Recovery
Act, Texas' share of the total federal funds is estimated to be more
than $15 billion for supporting a variety of program areas, such as
health and human services, state fiscal stabilization, transportation,
and education. (See table 9.)
Texas is going to have to hire 10 more accountants! That's not much to get upset and threaten secession over. A million bucks a year extra for 10 years to manage $15 billion total? $10 million for $15 billion? 10 out of 15,000.
Quote:
Original post by Chris Reynolds
You can't blame Texas for disagreeing with the government and requesting more fiscal spending. It's obviously the states right to do so.
And quit it with all the Texas hate.. it's just stupid elitism. displaced anger. Texas isn't the bully that picked on you in high school.
But seceding, though Texas is somewhat independent, would probably not be smart.. right now.
I don't want Texas to leave the union. I think the fist shaking is kind a funny, at least, I don't think it should be taken seriously yet.
The demographics for the poll I last linked with...
DemographicsMEN 288 48%WOMEN 312 52%DEMOCRATS 199 33%REPUBLICANS 234 39%INDEPENDENTS/OTHER 167 28%18-29 102 17%30-44 204 34%45-59 198 33%60+ 96 16%WHITE 390 65%BLACK 77 13%HISPANIC 115 19%OTHER 18 3%
234 Republicans, split 48-48. That's 112 people, out of 600 people total in the survey (or 18%). 167 Independents, split 55-40 against. That's 67 people, out of 600 people total in the survey (or 11%). 199 Democrats, split 82-15. That's 30 people, out of 600 people total in the survey (or 5%). 35% out of 600 people is 210 people. How accurately does that sample reflect the population of Texas?
At present the issue isn't a winner with the general public. In terms of the upcoming Republican primary, it splits the Republican base. Perry will need more than 50% of his party to beat Hutchinson and even more than than to win the general election.
"I thought what I'd do was, I'd pretend I was one of those deaf-mutes." - the Laughing Man
