newsminer.com

Around 75 people crowded the Capitol steps at noon today, hoisting signs protesting Gov. Sarah Palin's rejection of some federal stimulus money yesterday.

The governor heard about the protesters and stepped outside, coatless in a surprise spring snow, and had a brief, candid conversation with the Alaskans.

She was trying to set the record straight, Palin assistant Anna Kim said.

The money — about $288 million — wasn't rejected, Kim said. Instead, Palin's bill puts the federal stimulus money "on the table" for a public discussion with lawmakers.

That discussion should start next week, with bills by House and Senate leadership moving along that would counter Palin's bill by accepting all stimulus funding.

Palin said she didn't feel accepting all the money would be in Alaska's best interests. Federal "strings" could force the state to grow programs and hire new staff to serve more people, only to leave those people somewhat high and dry in a few years when the federal spigot shuts off and the state might not have enough revenue to continue programs on its own.