On February 16, 2009, Governor Palin discussed the stimulus package with Greta Van Susteren. The Governor’s position is that the package should be vetoed until all members of Congress and all Senators have had the time to read and understand the content. She was horrified that this package was passed without anyone reading its content and understanding its implications. Her other principal concern is that the bill would create Federal mandates that the states would be left to fund when the stimulus package dollars run out, an unfair situation at best.
Governor Palin also discussed her success with securing Obama’s agreement to include Alaska’s gas pipeline to Canada on the agenda with his meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Harper. She emphasized the importance of developing domestic energy sources both to our economy and for our national security. Governor Palin believes that Obama does not sufficiently understand the importance of tapping domestic energy sources until alternative sources can be brought to market at a reasonable cost. She reiterated her offer to Obama to visit Alaska, particularly the North Slope and ANWR, and see what the state has to offer in terms of energy sources.
In a press release, “Governor Palin thanked Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski and Congressman Don Young for their efforts to steer the massive federal stimulus package toward a greater emphasis on infrastructure projects that would create and retain private sector jobs” (Stimulus, 2009, ¶1).
The [G]overnor recognizes that some form of economic stimulus is necessary, but not the bill that passed the Congress Friday. She has advocated for a package that includes federal spending for infrastructure, tax breaks for individuals and small businesses, and measures to address the housing situation. The governor believes the current legislation is too large and is not sufficiently focused on these objectives (Stimulus, 2009, ¶2).
“As the United States increases the amount of debt that will be held by foreign countries, Gov. Palin said it’s more important than ever to develop more domestic energy sources, rather than perpetuating a situation in which Americans import most of the oil they consume” (Stimulus, 2009, ¶6).
Commentary
Though Governor Palin was at the finish line for the Iron Dog snow machine race in the Van Susteren interview, her executive experience, knowledge of finance, budgets, and energy sources, and common sense was on full display. The Governor has on at least two prior occasions expressed concerns about this stimulus package, which as of this writing appears to be a fait accompli.
Governor Palin is a financial genius — a rarity seen in most elected officials. Among other things, she knows how to compute the Net Present Value of Cash Flows. Despite precipitous revenue drops, her state still does not run deficits — not on her watch. Having sat on an energy board before, and having been Wasilla’s mayor for eight years — and building that town into a full-fledged suburb of Anchorage — Governor Palin knows full well what financial ideas work and which ones are duds.
Her position on the stimulus package is the correct one. No bill should be rushed through either house of Congress and passed without being read. That is a disgrace and a disaster waiting to happen. It is a fundamental obligation of each Senator and Congressman or woman to read what it is they seek to make the law of the land. Creating state mandates that the states must fund once Federal dollars dry up is an unfair practice that violates states rights. The stimulus bill should focus on tax breaks, homeowner assistance, and infrastructure projects. It has some of those aspects, but not in sufficient measure — the stimulus bill as of this writing is a huge pork barrel bill — the largest one in our history, hence the derisive name, “Porkulus Bill” that has been ascribed to it.
That domestic energy sources should be developed is really a matter of common sense. And it can be done in an environmentally responsible manner. No one is suggesting that we pillage and plunder the earth as we drill for oil and gas.
Governor Palin was spot on in the interview and in her press release.
References
Palin comments on stimulus package
thanks Murkowski and Young for efforts. (2009, February 16). State of Alaska, Governor. Retrieved February 17, 2009 from: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1652
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