Stimulus Package Includes Billions of Questionable Spending
The fate of the upcoming stimulus bill is still up in the air with Senate Republican’s being the major roadblock. This is exactly why our democratic process is so genius. I personally believe we need a stimulus bill to create jobs and improve not only our nation’s physical infrastructure, but our economical infrastructure as well. However, a stimulus bill must be exactly that, a stimulus and if the Republicans can successfully shed light on wasteful spending currently included in the House passed version of the stimulus bill, then everyone wins but special interests. We cannot afford, nor should taxpayers be expected to fund $246 million for Hollywood movie producers or $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade their computer systems. If a provision in the stimulus bill does not provide near-term jobs or needed relief to those who need it, it should be stricken from the legislation.
Below is a list of what the Senate Republicans feel should be taken out of the House passed bill; I tend to agree with most of it. What are your thoughts?
- $2 billion earmark to re-start FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Department of Energy defunded last year because it said the project was inefficient.
- A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film.
- $650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program.
- $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship).
- $448 million for constructing the Department of Homeland Security headquarters.
- $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters.
- $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees.
- $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD’s
- $1.4 billion for rural waste disposal programs.
- $125 million for the Washington sewer system.
- $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities.
- $1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion.
- $75 million for “smoking cessation activities.”
- $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges.
- $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI.
- $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction.
- $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River.
- $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas.
- $6 billion to turn federal buildings into “green” buildings.
- $500 million for state and local fire stations.
- $650 million for wildland fire management on forest service lands.
- $1.2 billion for “youth activities,” including youth summer job programs.
- $88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service.
- $412 million for CDC buildings and property.
- $500 million for building and repairing National Institutes of Health facilities in Bethesda, Maryland.
- $160 million for “paid volunteers” at the Corporation for National and Community Service.
- $5.5 million for “energy efficiency initiatives” at the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration.
- $850 million for Amtrak.
- $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint.
- $75 million to construct a “security training” facility for State Department Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies.
- $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems.
- $200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations. $
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Comments
This wanton spending of future generation’s tax dollars is just a prime example of why we’re in this mess in the first place – BECAUSE POLITICIANS ARE OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY!
$448 Million for new furniture! You’ve got to be kidding me. My dining room set is 60 years old (20 years in my house) and I can’t afford a $1,000 for a new set. I think that furniture can last another year or so.
I read through most of those and they seem reasonable to me. Yea the new furniture is a little bad, but that depends what they are getting, I’m sure its a lot of desks and chairs for employees.
I saw an interview very recently where the interviewer was questioning Nancy Pelosi on all the pork within the proposed stimulus bill. You should have seen her stumble for an answer; it was incredibly pathetic.
Frank said that if it is going to pass the Senate it will be today, but no on e knows what it looks like yet. They have made quite a few changes apparently…
Even if this furniture is for employees, it still seems like quite a bit. I heard that California went and asked for a bailout as well and asked for money to build a golf course. Las Vegas, Nevada also asked for a little over $1 million dollars for new neon lights(?!) If thats the case and Vegas is out of money for lights, then I give up.
Of course all this stuff is in there. This is how they’re paying back for all the votes. Not saying this just cause of who won, it happend on all side. There is definitely a revoling door in Washington that seems to include all politicians.