Numbers refute Palin denying energy money

The old refrain from Mom, “Just because everybody else jumps off a cliff, does that mean you should?” is playing out in Alaska.

Gov. Sarah Palin has turned down more than $28 million in federal stimulus money for energy relief.

That decision, whether you think it good or bad, doesn’t look good when some simple numbers are examined.

First, Alaska is the only state to turn down its share of that money. The governor has repeatedly said she did so because there are too many federal strings attached that will have long-term consequences.

If that’s so, why have the other 49 states accepted the money? This isn’t the only conservative state left in the union. Why are the leaders of those states wrong, and our governor so right?

If the energy money can help jump start the governor’s wish to see half our energy independence be supplied by alternative sources by 2025, then maybe she should take another look.

And for those who see this as a hand-out that will only increase the federal government’s place in our lives, don’t worry, that $28 million will go somewhere. Just not here.

The other number is 75 percent. That’s what it takes to override a veto in Alaska’s legislature.

It appears both houses have the necessary votes to override the governor’s veto of the money the legislature wanted.

Except for a relative minority, Gov. Palin is standing alone on this one. Even some die-hard Republicans are talking about joining in the override vote.

There’s only one way to get to the bottom of this — albeit a costly one — and that’s to convene a special session and see if the votes are there. To save some money, the legislature should convene in Anchorage as it has done in the past. That would cut down on travel costs.

Sure, some of the senators and representatives are trying to resume their normal lives, but let’s face it, special sessions in Alaska are hardly new. Waiting until January to see if we want the money might mean we won’t get it even if we want it.

This issue needs to be tackled sooner rather than later. If the 75 percent of votes is there, then the governor will have to make a very unpopular decision if she still won’t apply for the money.

If there aren’t enough votes, then her decision can stand. Popular or otherwise.

It’s 49-1. Not a good score. And it looks like it’s 75-25, another rout.