by Eric Lendrum
Several governors around the country are taking federal funds meant to combat the coronavirus and instead using the money to deal with so-called “global warming.”
Breitbart reports that, in addition to federal stimulus funds, such governors are taking advantage of budget surpluses as a result of tax collection and massive consumer spending following the end of most lockdowns. Among the most prominent governors engaging in such misuse of funds are Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.), and Jay Inslee (D-Wash.).
“The climate crisis is not an abstraction,” Inslee falsely claimed. “It is something that I and every governor in the United States, almost on a weekly basis, have to deal with.” Newsom, who has incorrectly described global warming as an “existential threat,” has proposed spending of up to $24 billion over the next five years, for such projects as electric school buses, more electric vehicle charging stations, and additional “clean energy” development and storage projects.
Less radical efforts have also been made by Republican governors, focusing less on the alleged threat of “global warming” and more on strengthening the energy infrastructure of their states. Among these are Doug Ducey (R-Ariz.), who recently proposed a spending bill of $1 billion to protect the state’s water infrastructure. In Idaho, Governor Brad Little (R-Idaho) proposed $150 million in additional spending for fire-fighting costs and hiring even more firefighters, as wildfires prove to be a major threat in the region, although there is no evidence to suggest that global warming caused these fires.
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Eric Lendrum graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he was the Secretary of the College Republicans and the founding chairman of the school’s Young Americans for Freedom chapter. He has interned for Young America’s Foundation, the Heritage Foundation, and the White House, and has worked for numerous campaigns including the 2018 re-election of Congressman Devin Nunes (CA-22). He is currently a co-host of The Right Take podcast.
Photo “Gavin Newsom” by Gavin Newsom. Photo “Jay Inslee” by Office of the Governor of the State of Washington. Background Photo “Electric Vehicle Charging Station” by evgonetwork. CC BY 2.0.
Monies not earmarked or dedicated to a specific project are often funneled into pet projects.