Deep In The Stimulating Fine Print

[Island Boy]

http://wsbradio.com/blogs/jamie_dupree/2009/02/deep-in-the-stimulating-fine-p.html

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Jamie Dupree

@ February 16, 2009 12:00 AM Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

I found a whole bunch of interesting stuff last week when the stimulus bill wen through the House and Senate. It didn't take too much work over the weekend to stumble on a few more things in the bill.

First there was section 1604, which came right out of an amendment from Republicans, that sough to make sure money from the bill didn't go to projects that might not cut the mustard with some people in terms of stimulus.

"Sec. 1604. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made

available in this Act may be used by any State or local

government, or any private entity, for any casino or other

gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf course, or

swimming pool."

I'm sure that seems pretty logical to a lot of people, though as a golfer who likes to gamble as well, maybe not all of makes sense to everyone, eh?

One that really caught my eye was just down the page, because it really has some interesting political sidelights in it.

"Sec. 1607. (a) Certification by Governor.--Not later than 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act, for funds provided to any State or agency thereof, the Governor of the State shall certify that: (1) the State will request and use funds provided by this Act; and (2) the funds will be used to create jobs and promote economic growth.

In other words, let's say you have a Republican Governor in your state, who hasn't been exactly supportive of the plan approved by Congressional Democrats. That Governor is going to have to send Congress a note saying, "Yep, I want yer damn money."

I can write this story with my eyes closed.

"Governor Joe Blow, who repeatedly said Democrats were a bunch of fools for approving a stimulus bill loaded billions in wasteful spending, yesterday told the Congress he wants (insert name of home state here) to get its share of that money.

"It's about time that the Governor figured out what the people of this state want," said Democratic state Rep. Rip N. Bashem. "And if jobs aren't produced with that money, we'll know who to blame, since the Governor is the one responsible for assuring state taxpayers that the money will be used to quote 'create jobs and promote economic growth,'" Bashem added.

The Democrats will have a field day with that.

And they made sure there's even another way to get money to a state, just in case a Governor decided that he wouldn't ask for any stimulus cash.

"( Acceptance by State Legislature.--If funds provided to any State in any division of this Act are not accepted for use by the Governor, then acceptance by the State legislature, by means of the adoption of a concurrent resolution, shall be sufficient to provide funding to such State."

In other words, if the Governor says 'no thanks,' the state legislature could accept the money with a simple majority vote in favor of a legislative resolution. The money would then be sent directly to local governments.

[D'KanSkinFan]

This was on Rush today - "or" so I am told; didn't hear it myself, but I do have a reliable source.

[Burgold]

Do you know how many jobs are created within one Casino? Casinos also make a ton o cash for the state through gambling, restaurants, lodging, restaurants, shopping, spas, and night clubs.

Viva la sucker!

[Larry]

Do you know how many jobs are created within one Casino? Casinos also make a ton o cash for the state through gambling, restaurants, lodging, restaurants, shopping, spas, and night clubs.

"You said 'rape' twice."