Ten years into his quest to reduce the economy of Texas to 3rd world status, rallying with the TeaBaggers and advocating secession because Texas can take care of itself and be better off without the Unconstitutional Federal Government and learning that FEMA has turned down the state’s request for funds to pay fighting the west Texas wildfires, Governor Perry was quoted as saying “I am dismayed that this administration has denied Texans the much needed assistance they deserve. It is not only the obligation of the federal government, but its responsibility under law to help its citizens in times of emergency. Our state has become a model for the nation in disaster preparedness and response, but Texas is reaching its capacity to respond to these emergencies. We will immediately look at all of our options, including appealing the denial, so Texans can receive the resources and support they need as wildfires continue to threaten life and property across our state.”
Weeks before the denial, Perry had insisted that Texas didn’t need Federal help and invoked the citizens of Texas to pray for rain to end the fires. Unfortunately the rains came with a vengeance but in the wrong part of the state, causing severe damage in some areas.
Perry has requested:
- Federal Assistance including aviation assets and firefighting resources to state and local agencies, and
- Emergency Protective Measures €“ measures taken before, during and after a disaster to save lives, protect public health and safety, and protect improved public and private property.
Basically the request to help pay for the State’s efforts in putting out the fires. As is well known, the policies of Governor Perry has resulted in a budget deficit of $27 Billion. It has been the wholesale giveaway of needed resources to the rich and corporations and from the people of Texas which has caused this problem. Ironically just this week the Republicans voted to pass a bill to put a cap on the taxes for folks purchasing yachts in Texas which Perry has said he will sign, see previous post for more on this ridiculous issue.
Perry is quick to show his disdain for the federal government but now that he needs them it is quite a different story that is sure to be spun as Washington’s political disdain for Texas.
Poor Texas christian Republican legislators. Sitting on 9 billion dollars they refuse to to use and help our own people with and now those dastardly fiends at FEMA refuse to give Federal Funds garnered from the taxpayers of the entire nation to help us. Bless their hearts…they are so persecuted.