Gov. Sarah Palin Vetoes $28M in Federal Stimulus Money

Gov. Sarah Palin on Thursday became the only governor to turn down federal stimulus money for energy efficiency, a move that legislators called “disappointing” for a state with some of the country’s highest energy costs, according to NewsMax. In announcing the veto of $28.6 million in funds, Palin said she wouldn’t accept money tied to adoption of building codes by local governments.

“Alaskans and our communities have a long history of independence and opposing many mandates from Washington, D.C.,” Palin said in a statement announcing the veto.

Palin had earlier accepted about $900 million in other federal stimulus funds.

State budget director Karen Rehfeld said the Republican governor was concerned that in accepting the money, she would be required to promote the adoption of local building codes. To qualify for the federal money, 90 percent of new and renovated structures in the state would have to be constructed under energy efficiency standards between 2009 and 2017.

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May 21, 2009 · Filed Under Porkulus, Sarah Palin


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