Arizona is the only state to withhold welfare checks during the shutdown. However, the state is spending funds to reopen the Grand Canyon. Image: Grand Canyon NPS @ Flickr
Just when it seemed the state of Arizona couldn’t sink any lower, it became the only state in the union to stop welfare checks due to the federal shutdown. The decision came in the face of assurances that the money would be reimbursed once the shutdown is over.
As if to add insult to injury, the state couldn’t wait to reopen the Grand Canyon National Park on Saturday, using $651,000 in state funds. This sum will keep it running only for a week. There is NO guarantee that Arizona will be reimbursed for those funds.
Arizona can fund the poor for less than it can fund the Grand Canyon
The welfare decision was supposed to affect 5200 families. They receive an average of $207 a week from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. In other words, for $517,500, the most vulnerable residents of Arizona get a week of support for their iffy existence. That’s less money, over the same amount of time, than Governor Jan Brewer is using to open the Grand Canyon.
the wicked witch of the west is back, she excepts the ObamaCares money to expand medicare and run the ACA now she wants to cut them off n favor of a tourist attraction kinda seems like she was faking with the health care doing this those familis won't need ACA they'll be dead.
The quick decision to reopen the Grand Canyon is understandable. Yes, businesses were suffering under the closure of the park. And, yes, it’s worthwhile to bring in income and tax dollars by reopening it. However, the state is hoarding a rainy-day fund of $450,000,000. In view of that, why wasn’t the welfare of Arizona’s poorest also a priority? As state senate Minority Leader Leah Landrum Taylor, D-Phoenix, put it:The rainy-day fund is for emergencies, and this is an emergency. This is beyond hurting the families. … Families are relying upon this.There was no word from the governor’s office about where the money would come from to restore the missing checks. But there’s obviously no shortage of money available to take care of the problem. How could a decision get any more immoral than choosing to feed Arizona’s businesses and tourists while trying to starve the poor?
if those potential tourist were real Americans they would boycott AZ. or bring protest signs and march instead of looking at a big gorge i don't see how real Americans can fun it up knowing the money that allows them the extravagance of vacation is also starving families not as Blessed as they are.
