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Marketplace Scratch Pad

Look here, stimulus at work

Scott Jagow Sep 22, 2009

A couple months ago, I wrote about the debate over putting up road signs that promote the stimulus projects. Well, the Senate has given its blessing to them.

From the Washington Times:

“Why on earth would you want to hide from the American people the fact that the recovery package we passed is putting people to work?” asked Sen. Barbara Boxer, California Democrat, who took the lead in defending the expenditure. She said stimulus spending is beginning to improve the economy and charged that Republicans and Democrats who voted to strip out the funds are angry about that success.

“It’s my sense that there’s a frustration by the people who voted ‘no’ on the economic recovery act, the stimulus bill, there’s a frustration that it’s working. They predicted gloom and doom,” Mrs. Boxer said.

Or could it be, Senator, that your colleagues think spending money on signs looks bad at time of growing deficits and nearly 10% unemployment?

Sen. Judd Gregg, the New Hampshire Republican who tried to excise the funds, called his amendment a no-brainer. He said it’s common sense to get rid of tens of millions of dollars in spending.

“These are self-congratulatory signs; they’re political signs. They’re so that lawmakers can pat themselves on the back,” he said. “But these signs cost money. Actually, when you add them all up, they cost a lot of money.”

Up to several thousand dollars a piece, depending on the state.

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