Alabama to get nearly $8 billion from stimulus bill

[RunInRed 19,637]

I posted yesterday that the White House estimates 52,000 jobs will be saved or created in the State of Alabama as a result of this package.

My question for the board is, how would you like to see Governor Riley allocate these dollars? Infrastructure, clean energy programs, transit projects, education, etc.?

Personally, I would like to see dollars go to the Birmingham Airport (Concourses), increasing security and infrastructure in at the Ports in Mobile, expeditiating the expansion of I-65 (especially between Valleydale Road and Alabaster), modernizing inner city schools, investment in clean energy initiatives and research (at of course ), and more police on the streets in Birmingham. What else am I neglecting for all you folks in Huntsville (space program), Montgomery (auto industry and agcriculture), Mobile (tourism) and the rural areas of the state?

Alabama will get at least $7.67 billion from the economic stimulus bill.

Washington, D.C.-based Center for American Progress broke out state-by-state allocations that represent 69 percent of the total cost of the act. Alabama will get $7.67 billion, or 4.62 percent of its gross state product, the group claims.

The 1,071-page American Recovery and Reinvestment Act cleared the House on Feb. 13 by a vote of 246-183, without any Republican support, and received final passage in the Senate later that night on a 61-37 vote with three Republicans supporting it.

The White House states the package, which includes billions in funding for infrastructure, education, tax breaks, unemployed workers and state aid, will create or save 3.5 million jobs nationwide.

Included in the package is $71 billion for clean energy programs, $87 billion for Medicaid, $8.4 billion for transit projects, $8 billion for high-speed rail and a State Stabilization Fund to help states and local governments avoid budget cuts. The measure also earmarks $39.5 billion for education.

http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/stor...16/daily14.html

[Bottomfeeder 244]

I don't think Alabama should get any of it. Our Senators and Representatives from the Mobile area voted against it.

But, if have to spend, how about an across the board raise for everyone who has a job. It could be done in the form of a state tax cut to businesses.

[arnaldoabru 11]

Could somebody fix I-20 between Anniston and Irondale?

[RunInRed 19,637]

Could somebody fix I-20 between Anniston and Irondale?

They have actually done a ton of work there making it three-wide and installing the concrete barriers in the center to prevent crossovers. However, there is about a 1 mile stretch right as you pass through oxford/anniston where it's bump bump bump bump bump bump --- for the life of me I can not figure out why that has not been fixed.

[autigeremt 7,543]

I think Birmingham needs to take care of.....BIRMINGHAM! With all that corruption up there, what will Bham do with money?

I think the State of Alabama needs to take care of it's own through hard work and self responsibility. Kind of in line with the Auburn Creed.

[RunInRed 19,637]

I think Birmingham needs to take care of.....BIRMINGHAM! With all that corruption up there, what will Bham do with money?

I think the State of Alabama needs to take care of it's own through hard work and self responsibility. Kind of in line with the Auburn Creed.

That really does not address the question. We are going to receive the money and have to be accountable for it whether we want it or not (I guess we could return but I doubt Riley will do it.) So with that said, what do you think we should we do with it?

[autigeremt 7,543]

I agree with you......Riley will not return it

I think roads need re-worked and bridges need repaired. I also like the Bay Area projects at the ports. I think Education needs to get some of it since they have already cut our operating budget on campus by 18% in the last two years. Proration has been a bear so far for some.

As an environmentalist, I'd like to see clean coal and more energy projects.

What will 8 billion buy us v/s the needs? Manage it properly, and it could be useful for a couple of years I guess.

[OldNewby 27]

Artur Davis should get all 8 billion. He was the only Alabamian who voted for it.

[Tigermike 4,246]

Artur Davis should get all 8 billion. He was the only Alabamian who voted for it.

He's running for governor, $8 BILLION would make a pretty good campaign fund and would buy a lot of votes.

[RunInRed 19,637]

Artur Davis should get all 8 billion. He was the only Alabamian who voted for it.

I guess you mean his district. Good concept though...tell all the legislators who voted against, they now have to explain to their constiuents why their district does not get any dollars to shore up short falls and stimulate growth.

[Tigermike 4,246]

Will Langford spend JeffCo's $$$$$$ to pay off the Sewer debt or will he go shopping for cloths again?

[rexbo 104]

With the majority of lawmakers and politicians being UAT grads, it is probably going here. (Thanks Justin!!)

[OldNewby 27]

Artur Davis should get all 8 billion. He was the only Alabamian who voted for it.

I guess you mean his district. Good concept though...tell all the legislators who voted against, they now have to explain to their constiuents why their district does not get any dollars to shore up short falls and stimulate growth.

Fine with me. Also Davis can tell his district they have to raise their taxes and those of any descendants until they pay the entire 8 billion plus interest back. The other six districts no longer have to pay any federal taxes nor do any of their descendants.

Deal?

[TigerHeat 9]

Artur Davis should get all 8 billion. He was the only Alabamian who voted for it.

I guess you mean his district. Good concept though...tell all the legislators who voted against, they now have to explain to their constiuents why their district does not get any dollars to shore up short falls and stimulate growth.

Fine with me. Also Davis can tell his district they have to raise their taxes and those of any descendants until they pay the entire 8 billion plus interest back. The other six districts no longer have to pay any federal taxes nor do any of their descendants.

Deal?

Oh no, you do not understand the modern dhimmi party AT ALL. The recipients must not be required to pay back anything. Otherwise, who the heck would keep voting for you?

[bigsixfive 341]

Fine with me. Also Davis can tell his district they have to raise their taxes and those of any descendants until they pay the entire 8 billion plus interest back. The other six districts no longer have to pay any federal taxes nor do any of their descendants.

Deal?

Its perfectly fine with me, too.

A buddy had a "red state, blue state" plan: divide the "stimulus" in two, give all the blue states $450B in cash with the strings to go along with it, and give the red states $450B in tax cuts and corporate tax breaks. Compare the results in 5 years.

[RunInRed 19,637]

Artur Davis should get all 8 billion. He was the only Alabamian who voted for it.

I guess you mean his district. Good concept though...tell all the legislators who voted against, they now have to explain to their constiuents why their district does not get any dollars to shore up short falls and stimulate growth.

Fine with me. Also Davis can tell his district they have to raise their taxes and those of any descendants until they pay the entire 8 billion plus interest back. The other six districts no longer have to pay any federal taxes nor do any of their descendants.

Deal?

Sure. Except for one problem. When those districts continue to bleed jobs because of budget shortfalls, who has to pickup the unemployment benefits tab? Who picks up the tab when some one who no longer now has healthcare coverage walks into the ER? What happens to the to child who now has 34 other classmates instead of 19 because of educational cutbacks? And on and on....see the problem with this narrow view?

[OldNewby 27]

Artur Davis should get all 8 billion. He was the only Alabamian who voted for it.

I guess you mean his district. Good concept though...tell all the legislators who voted against, they now have to explain to their constiuents why their district does not get any dollars to shore up short falls and stimulate growth.

Fine with me. Also Davis can tell his district they have to raise their taxes and those of any descendants until they pay the entire 8 billion plus interest back. The other six districts no longer have to pay any federal taxes nor do any of their descendants.

Deal?

Sure. Except for one problem. When those districts continue to bleed jobs because of budget shortfalls and no jobs, who has to pickup the unemployment benefits tab? Who picks up the tab when some one who no longer now has healthcare coverage walks into the ER? What happens to the to child who now has 34 other classmates instead of 19 because of educational cutbacks? And on and on....see the problem with this narrow view?

With more money in employers and employees pockets in the independent districts, there will be more spending and more jobs (including benefits), creating more LOCAL (state/county/city) tax revenue. These districts will thrive. Tax rate cuts work. What a novel concept.

If individuals and families can learn to live within their means, why can't governments?

[bojack34 2]

With more money in employers and employees pockets in the independent districts, there will be more spending and more jobs (including benefits), creating more LOCAL (state/county/city) tax revenue. These districts will thrive. Tax rate cuts work. What a novel concept.

If individuals and families can learn to live within their means, why can't governments?

Amen brother! But hey some people would rather have the government tell them what to do with their tax dollars instead of us telling them what we want done with it.

[RunInRed 19,637]

With more money in employers and employees pockets in the independent districts, there will be more spending and more jobs (including benefits), creating more LOCAL (state/county/city) tax revenue. These districts will thrive. Tax rate cuts work. What a novel concept.

If individuals and families can learn to live within their means, why can't governments?

Agh, the tried and true tax cut solution to every problem theory. Where have we heard this one before?

[autigeremt 7,543]

runinred63 wants government to control us all by leverage. I see where you are now

[Tigermike 4,246]

With more money in employers and employees pockets in the independent districts, there will be more spending and more jobs (including benefits), creating more LOCAL (state/county/city) tax revenue. These districts will thrive. Tax rate cuts work. What a novel concept.

If individuals and families can learn to live within their means, why can't governments?

Agh, the tried and true tax cut solution to every problem theory. Where have we heard this one before?

As opposed to the dim lib solution of throwing more and more money at the problem and then seeing little or no results and deciding more money needs to be spent. Oh and the only way to get the money is to raise taxes. When it seems the only solution the dims are looking for is dependence on them and the government why should anyone be thrilled?

[RunInRed 19,637]

I don't have a problem with tax cuts. Especially tax cuts for the right people. But I do have a problem with the theory that a tax cut can solve every problem. For we have tried this approach and we now are living the results of ignoring the tremendous challenges we have faced for decades. Ironically, some now want to re-instate the tax-cuts-only solution to address the problems that theory helped foster. Amazing.

[TigerHeat 9]

I don't have a problem with tax cuts. Especially tax cuts for the right people. But I do have a problem with the theory that a tax cut can solve every problem. For we have tried this approach and we now are living the results of ignoring the tremendous challenges we have faced for decades. Ironically, some now want to re-instate the tax-cuts-only solution to address the problems that theory helped foster. Amazing.

Who are these "right people" of whom you speak? How do I become one of these lucky ones that "deserves" a tax cut?

[Tigermike 4,246]

I don't have a problem with tax cuts. Especially tax cuts for the right people. But I do have a problem with the theory that a tax cut can solve every problem. For we have tried this approach and we now are living the results of ignoring the tremendous challenges we have faced for decades. Ironically, some now want to re-instate the tax-cuts-only solution to address the problems that theory helped foster. Amazing.

What they tried was tax cuts and little or no limits on spending. What they need to do is tax cuts and spending cuts. I know that doesn't sit will with the dims, nor most of the Republicans either it seems. But if the HOR & the Senate made themselves good stewards of the budget and do what is right for the country instead of what is in the interest of their parties the whole damn place would be in better shape.

"Delay is preferable to error." Thomas Jefferson

"It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world. " Thomas Jefferson

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. " Thomas Jefferson

"You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income." - Abraham Lincoln

There are two men who had more than reelection in their hearts and minds.

[bigsixfive 341]

Sure. Except for one problem. When those districts continue to bleed jobs because of budget shortfalls, who has to pickup the unemployment benefits tab? Who picks up the tab when some one who no longer now has healthcare coverage walks into the ER? What happens to the to child who now has 34 other classmates instead of 19 because of educational cutbacks? And on and on....see the problem with this narrow view?

That's a main point of this idea: the tax breaks would invite companies and make it easier on small businesses, therefore jobs are created. More tax revenue is generated. Again, its an ideology not everyone will agree with, but its been historically proven to be correct.