Following in the footsteps of a handful of other governors, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has indicated that she will take only 55% of the federal economic stimulus money being offered to Alaska. If that sounds like fiscal responsibility, don’t get too excited. Per capita, Alaska already receives more federal funding than any other state in the country, an honor held since 1999.
Included in the rejected funds are $160 million for education (including money for special ed services); $17 million in Department of Labor funds (vocational rehabilitation services, unemployment services, etc.); $9 million for Health and Social Services and about $7 million for Public Safety.
Critics held a protest yesterday to oppose rejection of the funds which Palin announced on Thursday. However, Palin’s budget director, Karen Rehfeld, seemed to contradict the governor, saying that the administration hasn’t yet rejected a single dollar of the stimulus funding.
The governors of Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas have also signaled that they will pass on stimulus money.
With apologies to my brother and his family who no doubt voted for some of the representatives in the South Carolina legislature, the state should be embarrassed for its constant attempts to make the state fit someone’s view of morality.
Just a few short days after South Carolina passed a law to give married couples a whopping $24 out of the state coffers in an effort to promote marriage (which makes you wonder about the good folks of South Carolina if $24 is all that it takes), Sen. Mike Fair (R – Greenville) added a 20% tax to porn magazines. The tax, on such magazines as Playboy and Hustler, is expected to generate an additional $385,000, money which the state will use to help the Department of Probation, Pardon and Parole manage sex offenders.
It is so very clear, no? There must be a clear tie between reading porn magazines and sex offenders – mothers everywhere, take note. Your teenage boys are apparently at risk.
What else is South Carolina trying to make more expensive? Why, those other sinful behaviors: drinking and smoking. A proposal to raise fees on alcohol sales failed after Sen. Fair argued it would break rules that limit tax increases and law changes in the budget – I’m not sure why this didn’t apply to his porn tax. However, a 50% per pack cigarette tax increase did pass Committee.
So there you go. If you’re planning on drinking, smoking, looking at porn or – heaven forbid – remaining single, take note: South Carolina is gunning for you. Get your wallet ready!
(And here’s my disclaimer: I’m a southern girl myself. I grew up in North Carolina. Many of my relatives on both sides (Mom and Dad) hail from South Carolina. I don’t hate the state. I just question whether the folks there have lost their minds…)
