States relent, take stimulus money

Dangle that carrot long enough and it will be taken.

I think it was disingenuous for states to refuse financial assistance citing good reason not to take it and then take it anyway. It undermines any remaining principles state leadership was trying to exhibit against federal influence over state matters.

I also think it is wrong for the federal government to force state policy changes as a condition for receiving so called assistance.

But such is the state of politics in America. The federal government exerts more and more control over states rights and money talks louder than principle.

clipped from money.cnn.com It's not that easy to turn down federal funds. Several governors who initially voiced concerns about expanding state unemployment benefits to qualify for federal stimulus funds have decided to accept the money Some were feeling the heat from jobless constituents, while others took comfort in learning recently from the federal Department of Labor that they could curtail eligibility later on. The benefits expansion is among the most controversial components of the stimulus package, and it comes at a time when millions of people across the nation are losing their jobs. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act requires state legislatures to broaden the unemployment guidelines to allow more women, part-timers and low-wage workers to qualify. "This isn't about not being compassionate," said Adam Hasner, House Majority Leader in Florida, where unemployment is at 9.4%. "It's about not making a problem worse."