Jindal Won't Take All of the Porkulus Funds

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has told the Obama administration that he will not take part of the Porkulus funds designated for Louisiana because of the strings attached:

"Today, Governor Bobby Jindal announced that the state will not change its law to use a part of the $787 billion federal stimulus bill that would result in an unemployment insurance tax increase on Louisiana businesses. The Governor also announced that the state will use a provision in the legislation to increase state unemployment benefits for recipients by an extra $25 per week, and reaffirmed his acceptance of the transportation funds included in the bill to fund shovel-ready transportation priorities in the state."

His reasoning: the federal government won't pay the money forever, so taxpayers and businesses would have to foot the bill for the bigger dole. Jindal, in the statement, urges other states to take a look at the provision. In lieu of the government money, Jindal said that the state would increase its unemployment payments by $25 per week.

In other words, Jindal will use the funds that will actually stimulate the economy and waive the funds that would only stimulate the government.

Wise choice.