March 19, 2009

Claman on Palin's Rejection of Alaska Stimulus Funds

From a Municipality of Anchorage press release:

Acting Mayor Matt Claman released the following statement regarding Governor Palin's decision to turn away federal stimulus dollars:

"I am disappointed in Governor Palin's decision to turn down funding that would create jobs in our community and help maintain critical services. Her rationale is like turning down a gift card because it expires in two years."

"To reject funds for public safety, special education and Title 1 schools is truly confounding to me. To argue that we might not be able to sustain the funding in later years ignores the fact that Alaskans must deal with that situation already, because of the plunge in oil prices."

"From a statewide perspective, rejecting 45 percent of the estimated $930 million coming to Alaska will reach into even the smallest and most remote Alaska village."

"I urge Anchorage residents to voice their support to their legislative representatives as well as to Governor Palin. As the nation suffers from the current economic downturn, it's important that as a city, we continue to take measures to ensure our stability."