Report: Mass. has spent $4B of stimulus
Published: October 12, 2009
BOSTON - A new report says Massachusetts has spent more than $4 billion of the $17.7 billion in federal stimulus funds it’s received, using the money in part to stave off deeper job cuts.
The report by the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center estimates the stimulus has saved or created 27,400 state jobs. It said the money has provided tax reductions, funded construction projects and offset budget shortfalls.
Beverly Mayor William Scanlon said some of the $1.3 million his city has received has kept teachers employed and subsidized an energy project.
Senate minority leader Richard Tisei said most of the money should have been spent by now.
Eric Fehrnstrom, a spokesman for Republican state Sen. Scott Brown, a U.S. Senate candidate, said it’s “shameful” the money hasn’t more directly targeted job creation.
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
State jobs which will be paid for by taxes when the stimulus money runs out, which by the way is tax money!! Do you see a problem here? No money for the private sector to create jobs and hire people to pay taxes. How is that hope and change working for you???
I agree with Smitty,and will add,that they believe the money is theirs and will do what that want with it.The political hacks will funnel the monies into their favorite areas,not areas stipulated by the stimulus plan.Federal and the State Governments are a prime example(gasoline tax,excise tax on cars was to be used for transportation infrastructure,it went ever which way,and received little)The Mass. general court, also will find a way to give themselves a pay raise, on this new found money.
Just what do you expect in this state? Politicians figure the money is better off being held until it’s needed—they don’t see that it is needed NOW.
Advertisement