Republican Todd Staples Praises Impact Of Federal Money In Texas Job Creation—Nacogdoches & Palo Pinto County Line Up For Help From Washington

Republican Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples is very excited about federal money coming to Texas.

(Above–Todd Staples, on the left, with U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk. Texas looks to the federal government and the Obama administration to help generate international business for the Lone Star State.)  

From the website of the Texas Department of Agriculture-—

Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples today announced the Texas Department of Agriculture has awarded $750,000 in federal funds to the city of Nacogdoches for sidewalk and parking improvements. The award, made possible through the Texas Capital Fund, will support Archangel Capital Partners, LLC, dba Timber Springs, in developing an assisted living facility that will create 38 jobs in the city of Nacogdoches.

“The Texas Capital Fund is a smart investment that rejuvenates the economies of Texas communities,” Commissioner Staples said. “This award will help enhance economic development in Nacogdoches…”

The Texas Capital Fund, funded by the federal Community Development Block Grant program, provides more than $10 million in competitive awards each year to boost economic development in small Texas communities….

“The city has been working on the Timber Springs project for several years, and this award is an important step in bringing the project to a reality,” Nacogdoches Mayor Roger Van Horn said…. 

State legislators agree the Texas Capital Fund offers immediate and long-term benefits.

“Congratulations to the city of Nacogdoches for receiving this award,” Sen. Robert Nichols said. “I applaud local leaders for their work to bring new jobs and opportunities to the area.”

Did you catch the extent to which all this hinges on money from the federal government?

Nacogdoches County voted 63% for Rick Perry in 2010. I guess it was not cuts in government for themselves that the people of Nacogdoches County supported, but rather cuts for other people in other places.

Texas State Senator Robert Nichols who praised the federal money in the press release above is a Republican.

Here is what it says about Senator Nichols on his campaign web site-–

A fiscal conservative

A true believer in the free enterprise system

Sure.

Todd Staples is running for Lt. Governor.

Here is what it says on Mr. Staples’ campaign web page —

“Keeping Taxes Low–While serving in the Texas Legislature, Staples stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Governors Bush and Perry passing record setting tax breaks,which has enabled Texas to lead the nation in job growth.”

Yet in the Agriculture Dept. release it says the following—

“Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples today announced the Texas Department of Agriculture has awarded $750,000 in federal funds to the city of Nacogdoches for sidewalk and parking improvements. The award, made possible through the Texas Capital Fund, will support Archangel Capital Partners, LLC, dba Timber Springs, in developing an assisted living facility that will create 38 jobs in the city of Nacogdoches.”

I see. Low taxes create jobs except in cases where spending tax money creates jobs.

Does Mr. Staples appear to have any solid principles when it comes to the alleged core Tea Party/Republican Party issues of taxation and government intervention in the economy?

It seems that he does not. If this use of taxpayer money is okay for the purpose of job creation, why not many other taxpayer financed plans for job creation?

And this is not a one time deal.

Here is another Texas Agriculture Department release from July 8—

“Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples today announced the Texas Department of Agriculture has awarded $609,500 in federal funds to Palo Pinto County for real estate expansion. The award, made possible through the Texas Capital Fund, will support Texas Best Proteins, L.P., dba Kennedy’s Sausage Company, in the purchase of an existing facility and 20 acres of land. The project will create 31 permanent jobs.”

Palo Pinto County voted 64% for Rick Perry in 2010.  Given that election result, I think the folks in Palo Pinto should have the Tea Party raise the funds needed to help Kennedy’s Sausage Company.

Here is the web site for Kennedy’s Sausage Company.  I don’t see anyplace on the web site where Kennedy’s thanks Washington for the money.

Does Mr. Staples support rasing the debt ceiling so that we can pay for some more of these federal government grants for Texas?

What hypocrisy from Republican elected officials in Texas and from Texas communities who elect these Republicans.

(Below–Downtown Nacogdoches. Picture by photolitherland.)