As I wrote below, I’ve been surveying Republican governors for their thoughts on the stimulus. Again, so far Mark Sanford of South Carolina and Rick Perry of Texas are the only governors explicity opposed. There’s no question that with many state budgets overwhelmed that this has put governors in a tight spot. One press flack told me not for attribution that the governor privately had grave misgivings about the bill, but the political reality is that it is likely going to pass so they were publicly in the position of fighting for their state’s fair share of tax dollars. I suspect a number of other governors are in that pickle. And then there are some governors such as Jindal, Palin and Pawlenty that have expressed varying degrees of opposition to the bill or aspects of it, but are trying to work with the legislation all the same. So I don’t know if that quite makes them clearly against it in the way that Sanford and Perry are.

After the jump, I run through the list of which GOP governors have responded and what their positions are:

Not taking a position or otherwise have a mixed approach to the bill:

  • Idaho Governor Butch Otter has “reservations” about the stimulus bill, but has not taken a position.
  • Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman is not taking a position.
  • South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds is not taking a position.
  • Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue: “We’re certainly following the progress and trying to give input where we can and raise concerns where we have them, but we’re certainly not waiting on this money,” however,”I can’t give you a checkbox that he’s for it [or against it], it’s much more nuanced.”
  • Lousiana Governor Bobby Jindal came close to condemning it outright, but again, it’s not clear if he will actively oppose it. His press office forwarded an associated press story that begins thusly: “Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal said Monday that if he were still in Congress, he would have voted ‘no’ on the federal stimulus bill. But he said he will review the final version of the bill for federal money for Louisiana projects.”
  • Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty’s spokesman said the governor has reservations but is also trying act in the best interest of his state: “Governor Pawlenty has serious concerns about the stimulus package passed by the House. He believes the bill should focus more on tax cuts and addressing the housing crisis and not the buffet of Democrat spending initiatives the bill now contains.If a bill does pass, Minnesota will accept its share of the money because we are a significant net contributor to the federal government. A study shows Minnesota receives about 72 cents for every $1 sent to Washington – so we’re paying more than our fair share.”
  • Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has reservations about spending and increased deficits. However, according to a press release, “the governor has asked the nation’s leaders to look at these issues to ensure fairness in the stimulus package and that the package does not harm the long-term fiscal health of the nation. Contrary to some news reports, she looks forward to continuing to work with Alaska’s congressional delegation to accomplish the state’s goals.”
  • Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels: “I really want to resist making comments about something I have no control over. Let’s just say I have great misgivings about the wisdom for our country, but I hope it is going to work. We all pray that it will work. We want it to succeed. I’m going to concentrate my efforts not on second guessing what somebody somewhere else did, but on trying to make certain Indiana takes maximum effect and takes maximum advantage of this development.”

Supporting the bill:

  • Vermont Governor Douglas “believes that the federal government should pass some form of federal recovery to assist states that are struggling right now.”
  • Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons’ spokesman: “The state of Nevada’s economy is in a deep financial crisis and any financial assistance, including the stimulus package, would be welcome.”
  • Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell’s spokesman says she “supports the idea of a federal stimulus intended to help states create jobs and help states pay for soaring health care costs. She has written Congressional leaders as well as the state’s delegation on several occasions advocating for such a package; in fact, as far back as Senator Lieberman’s Subcommittee hearing last March on corn, ethanol prices and the food supply, she mentioned in written testimony provided to the Subcommittee that some form of second stimulus package was needed.”

Additionally, it’s being reported this afternoon that 19 governors signed a letter in support of the stimulus bill. In addition to Douglas and Rell who responded to my inquiry, Republican Governors Charlie Crist of Florida and Governor Schwarzenegger of California signed the letter supporting the bill.

UPDATE — Palin has further clarified her position:

“I agree with the decision of Senator Murkowski and Congressman Young to vote NO on the package,” Governor Palin said.
“It’s a given that a stimulus package is needed and will happen,” Palin said. “With guaranteed spending on the table, I am arguing for needed construction projects and tax breaks that will truly stimulate the economy and create jobs, and against increased federal programs that will become a state’s unfunded mandate to continue funding for generations.”

Jim has more at The Campaign Spot.