Gov. Palin Vetos Stimulus Money

Governor Palin on Thursday became the first and only Governor to turn down federal stimulus money for energy efficiency, a move that Federal Administrators called disappointing for the state with some of the country highest energy costs. In announcing, the veto of the 28.6 million funds. Palin said she would not accept money to the adoption of building codes by local governments. Alaskans have a long history of independence and opposing many mandates from Washington D.C.. Palin said in announcing the veto. Gov.Palin had earlier accepted 900 million dollars in other federal stimulus funds. The Governor believes that building codes should be made by local and state governments. Democrat state legislators had urged Gov. Palin to accept the stimulus money, because they were close to the federal mandates. Sen. Begich a Democrat said, that nearly a third of the requests sent to his state office from local communities and nonprofits were related to energy reduction. With the highest energy prices in the nation it is disappointing that our Governor, is turning down Federal stimulus funds that could help out families and our communities reduce there energy bills. Begich said. The Democrats and some Republican will possibly override the Governor Palin veto. The state legislator needs three quarters of to override the veto. Finally, Gov. Palin said that there was not a lot of support for for the Federal government to coerce Alaska communities to adopt building codes.