Jim Bunning Amendment fails

By GottaLaff

On CSPAN2, I just popped in to see the vote on Jim Bunning's amendment to H.R. 4213, the Extending Tax Breaks, Jobless Benefits, Highway Funds Bill:

Bunning (R-KY) Amendment: Requires use of unspent econmic stimulus funds to pay for provisions in the bill.

56 yeas, 41 nays, meaning the motion is tabled.

BunningFail.

Cartoon of the Day

Click to enlarge, via.

Indiana gets $1.3M more from Stimulus to help low-income seniors

Sounds like a win/win to me- give them something to do and train them to make a wage that will help to keep the heat on. What, no squawking from Mitch Daniels? Actually the opposite.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana Division of Aging is getting nearly $1.3 million in additional funding from the U.S. Labor Department of Labor to provide job training and other help for older, low-income workers.

The federal stimulus grant will go to the Senior Community Service Employment Program. It provides part-time, community service-based job training for unemployed, low-income persons age 55 or older.

Aging Director Faith Laird says the added funding will allow her agency to serve seniors who otherwise wouldn't receive services. She says the money is needed during such tough economic times.

Video- Rachel Maddow: Taking Names on GOP Hypocrisy

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

h/t Heather.

Obama Eyes Hi-Speed Trains to Create Jobs

Well let's get it going already. I am convinced, though not as much as Duncan, that high speed rail would be hugely popular.

(CBS/AP) A day after delivering a State of the Union address aimed at showing recession-weary Americans he understands their struggles, President Obama intends to award $8 billion in stimulus funds to develop high-speed rail corridors and sell the program as a jobs creator.

Obama and Vice President Joe Biden plan to announce grants for 13 major corridors during a town hall meeting in Tampa, Fla., Thursday, the president's first public appearance following his speech to the nation. It's an attempt by the White House to show that getting Americans back to work is the president's top priority and that he has a plan for how to do it.

The president's visit to the region means Florida's proposal for a high-speed line connecting Orlando and Tampa is likely to receive funding. California's proposal for an 800-mile-long rail line from Sacramento to San Diego and a nine-state proposal in the Midwest are also considered strong contenders.

The $8 billion in funding for high-speed trains and other passenger rail projects is part of the $787 billion recovery act. Besides the 13 corridors receiving grants, a White House official said several smaller awards will be made for improvements to existing rail lines. Overall, 31 states will receive funds.

TPC EXCLUSIVE- State Rep. Abramson talks Jindal priorities: Superdome suite v. mental health services

By GottaLaff

State Representative Neil Abramson (D) New Orleans

Cutting services to those who desperately need them is becoming a habit over in JindalLand. He is now gutting all mental health care in Louisiana to fill the Medicare budget shortfall:

The state also plans to shift money from its mental health and public health programs into the Medicaid budget, where it can draw federal matching money. Levine said the agency has no plans for layoffs, but that workers in the three state-run psychiatric hospitals will be working fewer hours and that as a result the number of staffers per patient will decrease.

Sidebar: Jindal didn't show up at a big-- make that huge-- opening of a World War II Museum. Was he afraid that someone might connect the sore subject of mental health issues/veterans/the military, the tragedy at Ft. Hood and the need for proper psychological care? That would put him in a bit of a mental health pickle. A stretch? Maybe. Just a thought.

Gordon "Nick" Mueller, the museum's co-founder, president and chief executive officer, stressed the symbolic importance of the building, one of the biggest local construction projects since Hurricane Katrina laid waste to the New Orleans area in August 2005.

"The whole museum is in the American spirit," he said.

Bobby must have been too busy doing important stuff like turning down stimulus checks to attend. Oh wait.

But back to funding issues. Apparently, shoring up Medicaid with cuts to mental health facilities isn't as upsetting to Health and Hospitals Secretary Alan Levine as the dearth of alcohol and fancy schmancy shrimp and oysters in Ba-Ba-Ba-Bobby's own private Superdome suite:

While the New Orleans Saints storybook season has made them the hottest ticket in town, it also has driven up demand for the governor's private suite in the Superdome. [...]

"It's certainly an honor to be invited, but you don't get to spend a whole lot of time watching the game," said Health and Hospitals Secretary Alan Levine, who was on hand for last Monday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. Besides, Levine said, the governor's box doesn't come with the same amenities as the neighboring suites. "You walk by the other boxes and you see shrimp and you see oysters and you see alcohol, and you walk into the governor's box and there (are) literally just plastic cups next to the sink."

Maybe Levine could snatch a few dollars from what was formerly the mental health budget and buy his own gourmet nummies.

If you recall, I previously posted about the horrific mental health crisis in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, plus State Rep. Neil Abramson's exclusive comments here. A short excerpt from my interview with him:

The real problem, unfortunately, is this became an issue of politics: Who has the idea and whether or not we need to be problem solvers, not bean counters.

Jindal decided to save money, to consolidate two state mental hospitals into one. It became obvious to me that you can save all the money you want, but the facility HAD to be in New Orleans to address the needs of the patients.

Yesterday State Rep. Abramson sent me another exclusive e-mail:

Governor Jindal already closed the only public mental health hospital in New Orleans. Now, Alan Levine, Jindal's secretary of Department of Health & Hospital, proposes cutting more mental health services in order to save medicaid money.

Yes, that is the same Alan Levine who has public longings for shrimp. Moving on:

As a member of the legislature, we found a way to keep the mental health hospital open in New Orleans, working with the economic constraints of our balanced budget. Yet, Governor Jindal vetoed that funding and closed the hospital. Now, his administration is targeting more mental health cuts throughout Louisiana.

At some point, his administration needs to recognize that mental health is health care, and particularly after Hurricane Katrina, there is a desperate need for mental health care treatment. It's time we focus on being problem-solvers and address the needs of our citizens, rather than just being bean counters and cutting to cut.

Here comes the part about Secretary Shrimp:

It's more interesting that these additional devastating cuts in mental health care in Louisiana come at the same time of reports in our local newspaper about political friends, including Secretary Levine, enjoying the Governor's suite at the Super Dome for Saints games. Secretary Levine apparently commented that the suite wasn't anything special because it didn't have boiled shrimp or raw oysters like the other suites. I don't think these culinary cutbacks at a posh suite during a Monday Night NFL game are quite the same type of sacrifices as eliminating mental health care for the people of Louisiana.

Pretty revealing priorities, there, Sec. Shrimp.

Maybe if health care centers provided tasty buffets, you and Bobby would feel more compelled to support them. Meanwhile, I dare you to hold a town hall meeting with a few of the suffering patients and Katrina victims who no longer have a safe haven, let alone free booze and oyster treats.

Video- Sean Hannity Thinks Ham Costs 79 Cents "In Most Grocery Stores"

I wish one of those grocery stores was in my neighborhood, since I jumped at the chance to buy some decent ham at $2.99lb the other day. In case you missed it, Oliver covers what this tempest in a teapot is all about. Via Newshounds.

Cartoon of the Day

Click to enlarge, via.

RepubliQuotes

By GottaLaff

Rushpublics provide so much entertainment! They're better than party clowns! Why, I bet they can make balloon animals out of each other!

Look! Here's a balloon monkey now:

Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) admitted that his vote to oppose Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor was a “foregone conclusion” eleven years before she was even nominated:

“That was a foregone conclusion,” the Oklahoma Republican said, citing his 1998 opposition to Sotomayor’s nomination to her current post.

As for The Boehner, well he's just a squeaky little twisted balloon ----um, elephant?

Boehner admitted that such stimulus projects do, in fact, "create much-needed jobs":

The stated intent of the so-called stimulus package was to create jobs, and certainly a $57 million slush-fund studying projects did nothing to achieve that goal. With Ohio’s unemployment rate the highest it’s been in 25 years, I’m pleased that federal officials stepped in to order Ohio to use all of its construction dollars for shovel-ready projects that will create much-needed jobs.

Those silly, wacky, zany clowns, always popping out with the darndest things. Pop!

White House announcing stimulus targets

From a White House release via Ben-

- Enable 1,129 Health Centers in 50 States and 8 Territories to Provide Expanded Service to Approximately 300,000 Patients – Department of Health and Human Services

- Begin Work on 107 National Parks – Department of the Interior

- Begin Work on Rehabilitation and Improvement Projects at 98 Airports and Over 1,500 Highway Locations throughout the Country – Department of Transportation

- Fund 135,000 Education Jobs Including Teachers, Principals and Support Staff – Department of Education

- Begin Improvements at 90 Veterans Medical Centers across 38 States – Department of Veterans Affairs

- Hire or Keep on the Job Approximately 5,000 Law Enforcement Officers – Department of Justice

That's just a start, more here.

Stimulus Setbacks for Sanford, Palin

By GottaLaff

I love typing "setbacks" and "Sanford, Palin" in the same sentence:

First Read notes that two conservative GOP governors -- South Carolina's Mark Sanford (R) and Alaska's Sarah Palin (R), both 2012 possibilities -- "appear to have suffered setbacks in their crusades against the Obama stimulus."

After fighting it, the South Carolina Supreme Court ordered Sanford to request $700 million in stimulus funds (intended primarily for the states struggling schools), and Sanford says he'll comply with that request, the Columbia State reports.

Meanwhile, the Anchorage Daily News reports the Alaska Legislature seems poised to override Palin's veto of $28.6 million in stimulus money.

Yeah, Sanford, what good are schools anyway, right?

And Sarah Louise... well, 'nuff said.

Sarah Palin skips town at crucial time

By GottaLaff

Get out your Where's Sarah? buttons. She's at it again:

With just one week left before the Alaska Legislature adjourns for the year, the conflict between Gov. Sarah Palin and lawmakers over taking federal economic stimulus money is the dominant issue left. [...]

There's still a chance that bills will pass increasing the state minimum wage, requiring parental notification when a teenager gets an abortion, expanding Alaska children's health insurance for lower-income families and stopping the state, including the Permanent Fund, from investing in companies doing business in Sudan, the African country whose government has been blamed for genocidal killing in the Darfur region.

Legislators will also vote Thursday on approving the governor's appointees, including attorney general Wayne Anthony Ross, who has proven controversial but is still likely to be confirmed. [Laffy Note: My posts here and here explain why I'm about to stick a sharp object in my eye]

Palin herself will be leaving Alaska this week to attend the Vanderburgh County Right to Life dinner in Evansville, Ind. on Thursday, as well as an event for special-needs children. Fairbanks Republican Rep. Jay Ramras questioned her leaving town right at the end of the session, when critical decisions are being made.

"There are some concerns (in the Capitol) about the focus of our chief executive because she's taken a speaking engagement in Indiana for a 36-hour period with only 72 hours left in the legislative session," Ramras said.

Palin, who has barely left Alaska during the legislative session, is clearly irritated.

"I'll be gone for one day. I already have been on record with lawmakers on this. I told lawmakers, you know what, 'Please, don't make me feel that I have to ask you permission, lawmakers, to leave the capital city,' " Palin said.

There's an old show biz phrase, Shooty McMouthOff: Timing is everything.

Republican Rep. Paul Ryan to Europe: I'm sorry

By GottaLaff

Now, now, little Pauly RyRy, what do you have to say for yourself?

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) has something to say to Europe: I’m sorry.

He might try saying that to America, too. How about starting with a big I'm Sorry for this:

The top Republican on the Budget Committee told The Hill that he owes an apology to Europe for insulting them over the past few weeks.

The 39-year-old lawmaker acknowledged that it was unfair to the continent to call President Obama's budget proposal the "Europeanization of America," since France and Germany recently called on the White House to rein in the stimulus spending.

So as long as they agree with him, he apologizes. Par for the course.

“We owe them an apology because our budget is worse than theirs,” Ryan told The Hill, referring to the Democrats’ budget measure. "To suggest that we’re turning our budget into a European kind of a budget is unfair … it’s unfair to Europe."

Throughout the partisan budget debate, Ryan warned that America is moving closer into turning into a European society.

“We’re seeing a budget that essentially Europeanizes the American economy and the American government,” Ryan said at a news conference in late March. “We don’t want to be Europe, we want to be America -- where small businesses and innovators and families are the leaders and the nucleus of our economy and our society.”

What a diplomat. Now it makes sense why he's a spokesman for the Rushpublic party. He's a perfect fit.

Ryan's remorse surfaced after he was asked whether he agreed with Rep. Brian Bilbray’s (R-Calif.) opinion that Ryan had gone too far.

Bilbray had told The Hill that Ryan “owes Europe an apology.”

So now we find out that not only did he apologize when he believed Europe agreed with him, he also had to be pushed into it by a fellow Rushpublic. When he grows up, he may realize he can do things like this all on his own.

Mark Sanford reverses course on stimulus funds

By GottaLaff

Mark Sanford just took a gulp from his sippy cup of Rushpublics Eating Their Own:

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) backed down Thursday from his threat to reject federal stimulus dollars, but he will seek to use some of the money to pay down state debt.

At a news conference Thursday, Sanford, a staunch fiscal conservative, said he will meet Friday’s deadline to apply for the money. Still, the governor will try again to redirect the money away from its intended use to retrain teachers and fund law enforcement.

Sanford’s written requests to use the $700 million to reduce the state's debt were rejected twice by the Obama administration.

Now Sanford will face a battle with his state legislature, and even fellow Republicans, over how to use the cash. [...]

Sanford has come under fire from South Carolina education advocates who say the money is desperately needed in a state with some of the nation's worst educational statistics. [...]

Sanford’s two terms as governor have been marked by public fights with legislative Republicans, who hold substantial majorities in both the state House and Senate.

The governor, who is said to be eyeing a run for president in 2012, drew national attention over the past two months for threatening to reject some money that would require South Carolina to extend unemployment benefits beyond current limits.

Sip away, Marky.

VIDEO: Praying alone is no fun! Plus bonus "Sarah stiffs Alaska legislature" story!

By GottaLaff

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Let us pray for Grabby McEarmarks, who just doesn't seem to have a clue about, well, anything. Whazzat? Mixing religion and politics is not a good and healthy thing? My bad. If only Grabby knew that. (see video) But while we're waiting for her to catch on, let's take another peeky-weeky into Grabby World:

Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) backed out a scheduled meeting Thursday with state legislative leaders who have publicly criticized her plan to turn down a portion of the state’s federal stimulus funds.

“We had a meeting scheduled with the governor today and her legislative liaison told us that she wasn’t there and that we could meet with the staff,” said Gary Stevens, the state’s Republican Senate President, at an afternoon press conference. “We’re here, we’re available, and unfortunately she is not.”

She was out looking for a new Prayer Partner.

Palin fired back in a statement released during the press conference, claiming that the lawmakers cancelled the meeting with her so that they could “host their own press conference.”

Stevens said Palin’s account of events “is absolutely false.”

“To say that we cancelled the meeting to have a press conference is absolutely untrue and somebody should be brought to task on that,” he said.

God will smite her for lying. And yes, I just wanted to use the word "smite".

Stevens said the lawmakers turned down the offer because Palin’s staff “often has trouble answering questions.”

So does Palin herself.

The meeting was scheduled to negotiate a solution to the conflict between lawmakers and Palin over the 31 percent of federal stimulus package funds the governor said she plans to turn down. [...]

“I can't predict how much or what funds legislators might add to my request, and we haven't heard all the public testimony yet,” Palin said. “To say now what might happen with an unknown bill would be premature.”

With that, Grabby walked into a wall and kept right on going.

But will she notice?

By GottaLaff

Via Mudflats:

Juneau Protests Palin

Protesters in Juneau line the steps of the capitol building protesting Palin’s rejection of stimulus money for education and the arts.

“I’m going to do what’s best for Alaska,” Palin said. “We just want to make sure that everybody has all the information regarding this opportunity, because with opportunity comes obligation. I think the fairest route to Alaskans is not to get their expectations up.” [photo and quote from Capital City Weekly]

I’ve been to a lot of Palin protests, but this one on the steps of the Capitol building is the first time I remember Palin being present at one. Way to go Juneau for stepping out there and speaking for all Alaskans who couldn’t be in the capital city.

See, the thing is about Grabby McEarmarks is that she fails to notice the most obvious things. If she had that ability, she would never have run for Veep, never have made half of the campaign statements that she'd made, never ever have appeared on the Tee Vee Machine, and never have become a public figure to begin with.

Hence, I doubt she so much as noticed the protest five feet in front of her oblivious nose.

Alaska legislators to Sarah Palin: Pfft!

By GottaLaff

Oliver Willis provides a peek at the latest problems for Grabby McEarmarks. There are so always many, it's hard to keep track, but we're on top of it. One more for the ol' archives:

Top Alaska legislators said Tuesday they’re likely to accept at least most of the federal economic stimulus money that Gov. Sarah Palin did not.

“I think at the end of the day we will end up taking most of the funds,” said Anchorage Republican Rep. Mike Hawker, who is leading the House effort on the stimulus as co-chairman of the finance committee.

Senate Majority Leader Johnny Ellis agreed. “I would be surprised if we give up much or any of the federal money,” the Anchorage Democrat said.

How can you win over an entire nation when you can't even garner the support of your own state? 2012 looking a little more elusive there, Grabby?

Protesters to Sarah Palin: "Take stimulus funds"

By GottaLaff

(via)

There goes Grabby McEarmarks showing that populisty compassionate side of herself again:

Dozens of protesters held signs Saturday criticizing Gov. Sarah Palin for turning away federal economic stimulus money they said is vital for education and other services for Alaskans.

"Mama Grizzly, you forgot your cub," said one sign.

"We need a governor, not a presidential candidate," said another.

She's miserable at both, and she's rarely visible in her own state, so really, what's the difference?

Many asked for money to fund building projects, or urged passage of particular bills.

But the dominant issue was Palin's purported rejection of $288 million, or 31 percent of the $931 million the state is eligible to receive under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Palin supporters and her budget director, Karen Rehfeld would have none of that! And by "that", I'm referring to the accusations and the protests.

In fact, the administration hasn't yet rejected a single dollar of the stimulus funding, Rehfeld said in an interview from Juneau on Saturday.

She sent an e-mail Friday to all legislators promising that state agencies "will continue to complete the necessary paperwork and applications and meet the specific deadlines" to collect all the stimulus money pending a public debate on whether to keep it. [...]

Some Democrats have accused the Republican governor, who ran for vice president last year and could be a presidential candidate in 2012, of turning away the stimulus money to raise her star with conservatives.

Grabby McLimelight? Ambitious? Really? Why, that's preposterous!

Palin aides and supporters, however, say she just wants a good public discussion -- a "timeout," as Palin called it Thursday -- on the merits of taking certain money related to schools, energy programs and social services. [...]

Nearly everyone who testified at Saturday's hearing urged the lawmakers to do what they can to snag all the stimulus dollars.

Legislators have the power to seek any money that Palin rejects, though the governor retains veto power on whatever projects the legislators try to fund.

I'm picturing Grabby wearing a little moose-hide holster that she had custom designed to hold her very own, very special, dyed-to-match veto pen.

Deanna Youngren, a special education teacher at Hanshew Middle School, told legislators the students need the federal dollars.

"I'm really concerned that our governor has chosen to pander to her political pipe dream as opposed to ..." Applause in the Anchorage Assembly chamber, filled beyond capacity, drowned out the rest of her statement. [...]

Rep. Les Gara, D-Anchorage, said Palin "got some really bad advice" on the stimulus money.

"She's seeing strings attached that really don't exist," he said.

She sees a lot of things that don't really exist... like the word "president" preceding her name.

Administration Plans to Loan $5B to Auto Parts Manufacturers

By GottaLaff

The Big 3 aren't getting the money, struggling parts suppliers are:

The Obama administration announced today that it will offer as much as $5 billion in assistance to support the web of auto parts manufacturers that supply the U.S. car industry.

The program in essence improves the cash flow for the struggling auto parts manufacturers who sell their products to U.S. auto companies.

Typically, the supply companies receive payment from the car companies about 45 days after the parts are delivered. The federal program will guarantee those payments from participating auto companies, which already include GM and Chrysler.

Press release here.

Obama to announce steps to aid small businesses

By GottaLaff

What a socialist:

U.S. President Barack Obama will announce steps on Monday to make it easier for small business owners to borrow money, using $730 million in stimulus funds to cut lending fees, boost loan guarantees and expand other programs, officials said. [...]

The Obama administration believes small businesses, which accounted for about 70 percent of new job growth over the past 10 years, will ultimately drive the recovery from the current recession, one of worst in decades, a U.S. official said. [...]

Obama and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner will announce a plan to increase federal guarantees under the SBA's most widely used loan program, an official said. [...]

The administration also plans eliminate a number of borrower and lender fees on loans originated through its main loan program and a program to encourage long-term borrowing for major fixed assets like land and buildings.

As part of his financial stability plan in February, Geithner said the administration would boost secondary lending markets that buy up loans and would encourage small business lending by targeting markets that buy small business loans.