The Voice - Student Newspaper

The good stimulus bill giveth and it taketh

By Justin Shepard
Online Editor, The VOICE

In an attempt to stimulate the struggling United States economy, congress and President Barack Obama passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 on Feb. 17.

According to www.opencongress.org, this is "a bill to create jobs, restore economic growth, and strengthen American's middle class through measures that modernize the nation's infrastructure, enhance America's energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need, and for other purposes."

An organization called the United States Conference of Mayors, which consists of the mayors of cities that have a population of 30,000 or more, have presented a list of projects in many cities that they would like to see financially supported by the 787 billion dollar stimulus package.

President Obama has promised that the money will be spent on only critical projects.

Several volunteers including Jerry Brito and Eileen Norcross, senior researchers at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University volunteered to create a unique and detailed website to allow citizens to see where the stimulus money is going.

The website, www.stimuluswatch.org, displays a list of projects currently going on in cities, which are being supported by the funds. It is updated every ten minutes.

The site provides users with a description of the project, its location, the amount of jobs it creates, and its cost. The most notable feature, is the ability for users to vote on whether they think a project is critical or non-critical. Also, people can participate in discussions on the projects, and provide their input.

These projects range from simple street repairs to multi-billion dollar projects improving energy efficiency. They range from doorbell installments (yes, that's correct), to those as critical as constructing a nursing home for veterans.

This site is a unique way for citizens to really see where the funds are being issued and to keep a good eye on how the new bill is working.

Please send comments to jshepard@gccvoice.com