Three Governors Say: We'll Take Stimulus Cash

By: Kevin Hechtkopf
Topics: In The News

On CBS News' Face The Nation this morning, three of the nation's governors – two Democrats and one Republican – all said they would take the stimulus money given to their state in the package signed by President Obama last week.

(CBS)

"I think the president has done the right thing," Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine of New Jersey, whose state faces a $2.8 billion drop in tax revenue, told host Bob Schieffer.

"We will use those resources to make sure that college tuition doesn't explode, that we are going to invest in elementary and secondary education, to provide quality child care for our kids," said Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland of Ohio, who said his state will receive about $8.2 billion. "We need these resources. And I'm very happy that the congress and the president is providing this resource to our states."

(CBS)

"This is a very unusual time in the history of Ohio and in the history of the country," Strickland added. "This is not a normal economic up-and-down cycle that we're seeing. It's historic, unprecedented. And I think it's necessary and appropriate that the administration and the Congress is helping us out in these ways."

While it is not surprising to hear such sentiments from Democratic leaders, some Republican governors have been under pressure to not accept the money available to them in the stimulus. No Republicans voted for the package in the House and only three voted for it in the Senate.

But Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels of Indiana said his state will take the money too, even though Indiana currently has a balanced budget.

"We are in a little different situation… But it won't last if the erosion of the economy continues at the present rate," Daniels said. "We will take it. We will try to spend it prudently and wisely. In our case, we'll try to invest it for the future of our state. We don't have the holes to fill that other states do. But that doesn't mean that we can't, I hope, use it to leave permanent assets behind, whether they're roads and bridges, or better prepared teachers. So we're a stronger Indiana when this is over."

Daniels also addressed the questions surrounding some of his fellow Republican governors and whether they should accept the money despite their vocal opposition to the plan as it wound its way through Congress. Schieffer asked Daniels if he thought it was somewhat hypocritical of some Republican governors who are saying, "Well, we're opposed to it, but we're going take the money anyway."

(CBS)

"First of all, I've studiously stayed out of the debate about the merits or demerits of this package. I think my job is simply to use these funds, which are a fact of life, for the best interest of our state and its future," he said. "I think we ought to simply, you know, move forward and each of us as governors anyway make the best decision we can for our own state."

Daniels said governors "ought to follow their conscience" but also stood up for his fellow Republicans and said there were "legitimate concerns" about the plan.

"Let's have some respect out of fairness for a very legitimate point of view," he said. "There are very legitimate concerns about this bill and its massive amounts of spending that have nothing to do with stimulating the economy.

"You know, I don't know a single Republican who didn't really want to vote for a stimulus package, doesn't want to see the auto industry get back on its feet, but I'm also not going to criticize those who have misgivings or can't come to a positive conclusion on these particular bills," Daniels added. "We all hope that the president will succeed. This country needs this president to succeed, and I hope fervently that he will."

More from Face The Nation (2.22.09):

HUD Chief Defends Obama Housing Plan

Ohio Gov.: Honda Needs Big 3 To Survive

Read the full transcript> (pdf file)

Kevin Hechtkopf
Kevin Hechtkopf is CBSNews.com's politics editor.
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by INresident February 27, 2009 6:17 PM EST: Indiana accepted the stimulus package. Last night on the news, Gov. Mitch Daniels told us that due to the economy he was either going to cut unemployment compensation and/or raise taxes to cover it. I thought the stimulus was to help the unemployed, not hurt them even add $25/week.

Fortunately, at this time, I am still employed but I do work in the automotive industry and every day is very stressful - will I or won't I be working tomorrow. Now thanks to Daniels, we may all "fall through the cracks".; Reply to this comment


by mggately February 23, 2009 6:18 PM EST: I find it interesting that when the automaker CEOs flew their private jets to DC late last year, instead of flying commercial, they were blasted for using their stockholder's dollars to do so. The argument was that they were wasting money that could have reduced the total amount of government "bailout" money, if any was forth comiing. But, when Governors fly to DC for meetings, or to appear on TV shows, in state owned "private jets" nothing is said about them spending what is truly taxpayer dollars to do so. In fact, one Governor's plane had mechanical prolblems and that was made light of. Where I come from that is called a double standard.; Reply to this comment


by raflin0010 February 23, 2009 5:21 PM EST: The Governors can't afford to puff out their chests and tout their "ideology" the way that Congressmen can. The Governors actually have States to run, people to take care of, and things that they need to get done while the Congressmen sit on their azzes in DC and cling to their "ideologies."; Reply to this comment


by midlifevoter February 23, 2009 3:02 PM EST: Florida Governor Charlie Crist faced a $2.3 billion budget shortfall. The Stimulus pkg provided $1.8 billion and gave considerable relief towards the reconciliation effort for Florida. The pain level is down, but the anxiety level is still high...because as Joe Biden says, "Then what!?!?...we don't have a plan!!"

We have to get busy growing or get busy shrinking....either way....we have to get busy!!!; Reply to this comment


by national4321 February 23, 2009 2:10 PM EST: Obama says: "It will require doing all we can to get exploding deficits under control as our economy begins to recover."

Borrowing trillions from China & Japan is controlling the deficit?

Putting Biden in charge of the stimulus package is taking responsiblity?

Where does Obama's responsibility start? he didn''t write the package.

Or does he think having won the election, and keep telling us about that, is enough?

His plans will destroy this country.

3 Governors will take the stimulus money, but most won't. WHY? They haven''t read the consequences for that action, alot like when people signed the paperwork for their homes and didn't read that their rates would increase where they could not longer afford their homes at some point.

I will not help those who were not responsible, that is not my job, nor should it be yours. Wake up already.; Reply to this comment


by national4321 February 23, 2009 2:00 PM EST: "It will require doing all we can to get exploding deficits under control as our economy begins to recover."

Borrowing trillions from China & Japan is controlling the deficit?
Putting Biden in charge of the stimulus package is taking responsiblity?

Where does Obama''s responsibility start?

Or does he think having won the election, and keep telling us about that, is enough?

His plans will destroy this country.
3 Governors take the money- but more won't- because they have not read the consequences of that bribe, the one which oBama threatens the country with.

Wake up, you fools.; Reply to this comment


by parrots21 February 23, 2009 12:16 PM EST: As far as So. Carolina, Alabama, Texas and Mississippi go--- "Let them Eat Cornbread"
Posted by Endeavor40 at 07:17 PM : Feb 22, 2009

I'll bet that most Repugs in Alabama and Kansas must really HATE their party leadership right now and wished they'd listened to the most of the rest of the country. Dumb Repugs !; Reply to this comment


by bigsk8fan February 23, 2009 9:43 AM EST: of course, republican governors will take the stimulus money. that means they really think obama's stimulus plan is a good thing. they only pay lip service to republican opposition as long as it doesn't cost any money.; Reply to this comment


by irmcvet971 February 23, 2009 8:06 AM EST: I am a political dummy, but what other alternative is there than accept the money, and then see where it leads.

Posted by BBrundj at 04:22 AM : Feb 23, 2009

You must understand Southern Fascism to understand what's going on! Without a doubt the American People, like you, decided in 2008 that we needed to change course in this Country... that we needed to do something about the constant slide of this nation. So MOST of us want to do as YOU suggest. The problem is that Southern Fascist can not, will not EVER, accept a Black Man making that change in Course. If Obama were say, Clinton, they'd buck a little but there would be ON obstruction and denial of the will of our People.; Reply to this comment


by irmcvet971 February 23, 2009 8:03 AM EST: That means Treasury must comply with FOX Business%u2019s request by Monday, March 23, and must produce a Vaughn index by Monday, April 6.

A Vaughn index details which documents have been withheld and why.

Posted by WILLIAMAYER at 01:11 AM : Feb 23, 2009

ROFLMAO NOBODY pay's any attention to these fascist anymore. ROFLMAO; Reply to this comment