KSN’s Liz Bryant did a great job tonight reporting on some political misrepresentation coming out of Washington DC. Just yesterday, the President was in the limelight promoting new funding designed to keep police and fire job secure at the state level. What appears to be the reality is Missouri will get $209 million in Medicaid funding with no requirements that any funds be freed up for those jobs. In the end, NOT ONE RED CENT of that $209 million will be sent to any city in Missouri for police and fire. Instead, the state will hold that money until next year to help with anticipated budget shortfalls.
Personally, I feel like I was lied to. What the President said and what the news reported was simply not the truth. When will voters finally say enough is enough and hold our politicians responsible for following through with their promises instead of simply working to ensure they are re-elected.
The KSN story is here.
Are you sure you are mad at the right one. The President gives this money to the states to use for its purpose but Missouri is well known for taking the money to balance its budget instead of what it is intended for. They continue to say they do not want stimulus funds for jobs but instead use it to balance the budget to prove they don't have to raise taxes. Why would the government help a town that will not help itself? If you listen to the NDN comments then Neosho is right where it should be with maybe still to many fire and police. We do not need any help as we expect our Mayor to work it full time for no pay because he wanted it and fire and police should continue to work for free also. I will do my part to help the best I can but must admit that it looks bleak.
ReplyDeleteDavid Holley
Are you sure you are right at the right one? The President gave the money to the states for that purpose but if they use it for something else, that is not his fault. Missouri has a history of saying it does not want stimulus money for jobs but then taking that money to balance their budget to say they worked hard to balance the budget so that taxes would not have to be raised. You should be mad at the state. Why should the government give money to a town that will not help itself. According to the post on the NDN site we are right were we should be. Our Mayor should work a full time job for $1o and our police and fire should work for free. Some feel we still have too many. I know I will do all I can personally to help but how do you fight thinking like that?
ReplyDeleteDavid, I agree with you. Jeff City is also a culprit in this game by ignoring the "intent" of the funding. But had our US Congress done their job first and REQUIRED the funds be used for police and fire (or else, send 'em back), Jeff City wouldn't have had a choice.
ReplyDeleteNo where did I hear any politician in DC (on either side of the aisle) say "Here's a bill to fund medicaid. We hope the states use it for police and fire, but we're not going to make them." Nor have I seen any news organization take them to task.