Nelson’s Right Nerve

Submitted by MQSullivan on Mon, 03/23/2009 - 2:06pm.

With free money (your great-grandchildren’s) dangling in front of them, the Texas Senate Finance Committee voted 13-to-1 to spend federal stimulus dollars. The lone dissenter was North Texas Republican Jane Nelson. She's worried about enlarging the base of entitlement with temporary federal dollars that will go away in a matter of months, leaving Texans with higher taxes and bigger government.

"I understand those who say this is a temporary benefit, but there is no such thing as a temporary entitlement," Sen. Nelson said. "Because of our fiscal discipline in the past, Texas can meet its responsibilities to our most vulnerable citizens -- children, seniors, and the disabled -- with or without the stimulus dollars. We need to live within our means, just as every Texas business and family is doing in this economy."

Nelson is absolutely right. The federal stimulus dollars don’t represent free money, and they will impede – not help – Texans trying to improve their lot.

"What happens if we come back next session facing even tougher times without the federal assistance? The decisions will be twice as painful," said Sen. Nelson.

Taxpayers need to be very worried about lawmakers using these federal dollars, because in far too many cases the stimulus money requires the state to grow the size and burden of government. This puts state taxpayers on the hook for much bigger expenses two years from now.

While Sen. Nelson is known for her steely-eyed determination, I bet she didn’t wake up today thinking she’d be the lone voice for commonsense in the Republican-controlled Senate Finance Committee.

Bookmark/Search this post with:

Texas does not need this

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 03/23/2009 - 2:57pm.

Texas does not need this stimulus money - Texas DOES NEED fiscal responsibility in the federal government similar to that in the great state of Texas governed by Rick Perry and the Texas legislature made up mostly of honest members who perform their duties much better than Congress as a whole. WE DO NOT WANT STIMULUS MONEY we are better off on our own.

stimulus money for Texas

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 03/23/2009 - 6:31pm.

I agree with anonymous. If Texas takes the money, when it runs out everyone will be up in arms because they can not get it every time there is a problem. And believe me there will be a bigger problem right around the corner if the Congress keeps spending and doesn't even know where the money is going. I was always told never to sign anything without reading it first. You would think the President would know that too.

NO STIMULUS MONEY!!!

Restraint is needed

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 03/23/2009 - 8:59pm.

Thanks to Nelson for her stand. Texas legislators need to use restraint and not take the stimulus money.

Stimulus money

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 03/24/2009 - 7:41am.

Please do not accept the money-it will only get bigger and bigger as have all other handouts in the US

I agree. This is no way to

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 03/25/2009 - 8:51am.

I agree. This is no way to run the railroad. The first thing congress should do is what every household must do when straightening out their finances: tighten belts and pay off debts. And definitely stop stealing from funds that are not yours. Yes, I am referring to the disgraceful and dishonest use of our Social Security Trust Funds. This speaks louder than anything as to the character of our law makers. Especially when they already know that the public has been informed about this theft, and instead of stopping this illegal use of money that is not theirs, they continue to spend it as if they were getting paid bonuses for their corrupt behavier. And they have the gall now to be shocked at the thought that AIG paid their executives bonuses for poor behavier? What do they think THEY are doing by voting themselves unearned pay raises every year? I think it's disgraceful for states to take part in this by accepting stimulus funds, knowing full well that they are adding to the nation's financial problem, not helping to resolve it at all. This is no way to run the railroad. Signed: Disgusted.

Thank you Jane Nelso

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 03/23/2009 - 8:38pm.

Keep up the good work Jane. Thank you for standing up and voting against the crowd on this government handout that increases the size of our state government! I am livid over the fact that people are not living within their means and neither is government. I balance my budget and I expect no less from my children! Society today is short-sighted. No one teaches their children to "save for a rainy day" anymore. We are reaping the consequences of the mistakes made by families purchasing homes their pocketbooks couldn't afford, cars they can't afford, and on and on. This was no surprise to us. We've seen this coming for 10+ years wondering how all these people could afford these homes/cars etc. and still save in case of emergencies. Fiscal irresponsibility starts at home and goes up the chain and so does greed.

Left wing Loons

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 03/24/2009 - 10:27am.

I for one am fed up with the socialist agenda being shoved down my throat,as if i have no other choice. if we don't get off our comfy duffs and stand for what our founding fathers intended for our country we will lose all.Thats what these loons are counting,on good citizens doing nothing. Kudos to our Representatives who stand alone if need be to do the right thing. WAKE UP FOLKS.

Thank you for standing up

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 03/24/2009 - 11:37am.

Thank you for standing up for what is right, what is American, and what is the responsible thing to do.
Our President seems to want to plunge us more toward socialism than we have ever been and more than we should ever go.
Thank you for standing up against this pork barrel waste that is the latest scheme. Please continue to speak the mind and heart of the people you represent and just maybe some of the spineless ones will actually eventually be strong enough to stand with you.