It wasn’t that long ago that Texas Gov. Rick Perry stood in front of a crowd of his fellow conservatives and pontificated about how bad the federal government was. In fact, it was so bad Perry said, that Texas should succeed from the Union.
“But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, you know, who knows what might come out of that,” the governor said. “But Texas is a very unique place, and we’re a pretty independent lot to boot.”
The governor complained and whined about Texas’ share of federal stimulus money. And, as a show of Texas independence, Perry rejected $550 million in federal economic stimulus money slated to help Texas’ unemployment trust fund.
Perry said Texas didn’t want the money because it would come with strings attached that would leave Texas paying the bill once the federal money ran out. Then he said he believes he could be at the center of a national movement which is coordinated and focused in its opposition to the actions of the federal government.
“It’s a very organic thing,” he said
Fast forward to last week.
With cases of swine flu (N1H1) all across the country — and the first American death from the disease in Texas, Perry requested that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide Texas with 37,430 courses of antiviral medications from the Strategic National Stockpile to prevent the spread of swine flu.
It seems now that Gov. Perry needs help from that “oppressive” federal government.
But wait, there’s more.
Perry also has issued a disaster declaration in order to receive more government aid. In fact, according to Mother Jones Magazine, Perry has issued more such declarations than any other governor.
A listing on FEMA’s Web site shows that Texas has been the site of 13 “major disaster declarations” since Perry took office following George W. Bush’s departure in 2001. That includes five instances of severe storms and flooding, two tropical storms, one “extreme wildfire threat,” and Hurricanes Claudette, Rita, Dolly, and Ike. (Texas received significant federal assistance following Hurricane Katrina, but it did not appear on FEMA’s Web site in the “major disaster declaration” category.)
David Riedman, a public information specialist at FEMA, explained disaster declaration is issued when a governor “determines the state’s resources are overrun.” From that point forward, the federal government, under federal law, is required to reimburse the state for at least 75 percent of the cost of recovery. Help is primarily targeted at rebuilding roads and bridges, debris removal and repairing damage to public buildings. In the relief efforts that are still under way from the damage done by Hurricane Ike, the federal government is reimbursing Texas for 100 percent of all expenses, according to Riedman.
In fact, since FEMA’s record-keeping began, Texas has received federal disaster assistance more times than any other state. From FEMA’s Web site:
So let me get this straight. Gov. Perry and the Texas Playboys don’t want to be part of the Union, but they want the Union’s help when things go south?
And, additionally, the governor raises hell about lowering taxes and but is one of the first in line to request tax money.
Unless, of course, it’s money to help the unemployed.
Rick Perry is a hypocrite.
And he should should probably stop talking right now. Because, as Mother Jones said, he’s fine about shredding safety nets as long as it’s not his own.
“But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, you know, who knows what might come out of that,” the governor said. “But Texas is a very unique place, and we’re a pretty independent lot to boot.”
The governor complained and whined about Texas’ share of federal stimulus money. And, as a show of Texas independence, Perry rejected $550 million in federal economic stimulus money slated to help Texas’ unemployment trust fund.
Perry said Texas didn’t want the money because it would come with strings attached that would leave Texas paying the bill once the federal money ran out. Then he said he believes he could be at the center of a national movement which is coordinated and focused in its opposition to the actions of the federal government.
“It’s a very organic thing,” he said
Fast forward to last week.
With cases of swine flu (N1H1) all across the country — and the first American death from the disease in Texas, Perry requested that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide Texas with 37,430 courses of antiviral medications from the Strategic National Stockpile to prevent the spread of swine flu.
It seems now that Gov. Perry needs help from that “oppressive” federal government.
But wait, there’s more.
Perry also has issued a disaster declaration in order to receive more government aid. In fact, according to Mother Jones Magazine, Perry has issued more such declarations than any other governor.
A listing on FEMA’s Web site shows that Texas has been the site of 13 “major disaster declarations” since Perry took office following George W. Bush’s departure in 2001. That includes five instances of severe storms and flooding, two tropical storms, one “extreme wildfire threat,” and Hurricanes Claudette, Rita, Dolly, and Ike. (Texas received significant federal assistance following Hurricane Katrina, but it did not appear on FEMA’s Web site in the “major disaster declaration” category.)
David Riedman, a public information specialist at FEMA, explained disaster declaration is issued when a governor “determines the state’s resources are overrun.” From that point forward, the federal government, under federal law, is required to reimburse the state for at least 75 percent of the cost of recovery. Help is primarily targeted at rebuilding roads and bridges, debris removal and repairing damage to public buildings. In the relief efforts that are still under way from the damage done by Hurricane Ike, the federal government is reimbursing Texas for 100 percent of all expenses, according to Riedman.
In fact, since FEMA’s record-keeping began, Texas has received federal disaster assistance more times than any other state. From FEMA’s Web site:
So let me get this straight. Gov. Perry and the Texas Playboys don’t want to be part of the Union, but they want the Union’s help when things go south?
And, additionally, the governor raises hell about lowering taxes and but is one of the first in line to request tax money.
Unless, of course, it’s money to help the unemployed.
Rick Perry is a hypocrite.
And he should should probably stop talking right now. Because, as Mother Jones said, he’s fine about shredding safety nets as long as it’s not his own.
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