Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announce Sunday that he'd likely say thanks but no thanks to hundreds of millions of millions of dollars allotted through the federal economic stimulus plan. His reasons stated to the public? It might not fit with Georgia's long-term plans. The state expects to receive between $6 billion and $15.9 billion dollars overall.

Perdue is one of several Southern Republican governors denying a portion of the funds in reasons that range from future impact to sheer principle.

For example, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has told the press he will probably refuse a portion of the allotted $2.8 billion coming into the state, saying the borrowing that would happen to make the funds available don't work for his state’s residents.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour have also announced they will refuse a portion of the money. Jindal says some of the stimulus funds is meant to expand unemployment insurance funds, an idea he says that would lead to increased unemployment taxes on businesses after the stimulus funds are spent.

Some analysts attribute their refusal to how Congressional Republicans claimed the package costs too much for the lack of tax cuts it offered businesses and individuals. The stimulus measure was stonewalled by all Republican US House members, and received only a lukewarm reception among GOP senators.

But even with the lack of Republican support, Perdue, like many others, is fine with other allotments of the money, such as funds for Medicaid spending, transportation infrastructure, weatherization and energy upgrades in public buildings, and educational programs.

Incidentially, though, not all Southern Republican governors are taking a stance similar to Jindal, Perdue and Barbour. Florida Republican Governor Charlie Crist, for example, said he welcomes the funds.

“Everybody has different point of view … and that’s fine,” Crist told the Associated Press. “But in my state, we need the money. We need the help.”