Our view: Put politics aside; people are hurting
August 8, 2012 at 7:00 pm in Duluth News Tribune
The reactions of some Republicans upon hearing the estimate the state could be expected to pay for cleanup after the devastating June floods were enough to conjure up a not-so-pleasant memory followed by an oh-no-not-again gut response.
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“Put politics aside” while you spend the entire editorial scolding Republicans. That’s classic.
Anyway, the federal government (meaning taxpayers) is paying for 75% of the estimated storm damage costs, not just in Duluth but the other 14 counties that suffered storm damage recently. The state (meaning taxpayers) is supposed to pick up the rest, roughly $25 million or so. How does the governor think anybody has an extra $165 million to chip in? Nobody lacks compassion for flood victims, but there’s only so much money to go around. And if the governor or the News Tribune editorial board haven’t noticed, we’re about tapped out.
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You hit the nail on the head Dan H. That’s classic do as I say, no as I do by the DNT. Reality is the years of DFL only ideology have come back to haunt the city. How are having no Republican voices working out for you DFL Duluth? Having all your eggs in one basket has its risks as well as its rewards.
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There you go again Vloon…more lies, no truth or facts to back up your bigoted radical loon left talking point statement, “Republican politicians don’t care”. Do you really believe Republicans bad, Democrats good rhetoric or are you just protecting your position at the trough?
The truth is Republicans do care about the people today and the people of tomorrow, and they are willing to make difficult choices, do the right thing, so that there is a better tomorrow.
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And the Democrats only care about their union buddies. What is your point.
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The Republicans are right to question Daytons 190 million number. It doesn’t make any sense. Dayton is using the flood to pile on the pork. I’m in favor of helping those homeowners in need. Out of the 190 million only 13 million is reserved for homeowners. Why ignore fiscal responsibility ? Can we not rebuild and do it wisely?
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Tell me what the 82 million is for. The article states that damage was 100 million to roads and infrastructure. If in fact the damages are 182 million then the feds should pick up 136 million and the state 46 million. Does this make sense? Or did I go to fast for you?
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This is how the DNT had it broken out yesterday…..
•$82 million for transportation road and bridge repair.
•$22 million for the Department of Natural Resources.
•$20 million for employment and economic development.
•$13 million for housing finance to help owners of 1,700 damaged homes.
•$26 million to fund what the federal government did not.
•$17 million for water and soil resources.
Again… what is the 82 million line item for? They have said roads and infrastructure damage was 100 million total or so. The DNT lists a 26 million line item that funds what the federal government did not. This should be the states 25 percent match for the federal funds. Why is the state paying out another 82 million for road and bridge? Even if the states 26 million contribution is included in the 82 million figure then why the extra cost? Is MDOT doing work over and above what the flood damage caused? If so then this should not be included in the flood bill. Also…..its like the pot calling the kettle black when you complain about snarky comments.
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THe DNT assigns themselves to the moral highground but they don’t deserve it. When public dollars are being spent politics ARE involved. That’s not evil, that’s not greedy, that is how things get decided in our country.
The paper’s attitude is actually a pox on our messy democracy, let a benevolent dictator decide. That is a dangerious attitude.
The editor has been reading too much Thomas (why can’t we be more like the Red Chinese? )Friedman.
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A little of yesterdays article….”Typically, the state pays local and state government costs not covered by the federal government. Federal payments take care of 75 percent of the costs.
So far, damage to public infrastructure tops $100 million, leading to Republicans expecting the $27 million figure.” …..This makes sense to me. The feds pick up 75 percent and state 25 percent. Then why is there an additional 82 million dollar line item over and above the states 26-27 million contribution? Yesterdays article lists 82 million for transportation/ road & bridge repair. What is this for? Are we not supposed to ask why? Do they think we are stupid? How about the 22 million for the DNR, the 20 million for employment and economic development and 17 million for water and soil resources? This is supposed to be a recovery bill for the flood. Not a stimulous package for the DFL voting block. So 13 million for homeowers and 39 million for the DNR and water and soil?? Just proves that they care more for the trees and fish than they do people. Way to go DNT ! We need to give Dayton a blank check??? This is why government is messed up. Betwen the state and feds they are proposing 190 million for the state and 75 million for the feds. This is 265 million….and 13 million trickle down to the homeowners? I’m not saying we should give the homeowners more……but can you see how messed up the priorities are?
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This is where politics is beneficial, not the enemy. You need an opposition party to say heyyyyyy wait a minute. You said the suffering people need 27 million and then you ask us for 100 million.
Typical democrat bait and switch. Do it for the poor suffering people and shut up and don’t look too closely.
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Let’s put politics aside and scrap the bloated DFL plan for one that makes some sense ,in contrast to the usual DFL union payoff approach.
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