Austin's Stimulus Plan

The Obama administration is trying desperately to resuscitate America's declining economy. They have proposed an $819 billion dollar stimulus package. Many economists, including the ones that drafted the proposal, have made it clear that the outcome of the package is very uncertain. Christina Romer and Jared Bernstein are two economists that are credited for drafting the plan have said, "There is considerable uncertainty in our estimates." Economists largely use the past to predict our future, but the crisis we are in now is unlike any other. So, Obama is eagerly pushing to pass this plan. About two weeks ago several large cities were asked to quickly provide a list of "shovel ready" projects the stimulus money would be used for. The Wall Street Journal ran a story which mocked several cities proposed uses for their money. Austin was on that list. Apparently, our parks and recreation board proposed an $866,000 frisbee golf course. Austin city council officials have been on damage control for the last couple of weeks.

John Hrncir, the city's governmental relations officer, said,"Austin, Capital Metro and the Austin school district had more than a billion dollars on its list of ready-to-go projects, and most were for general public works, infrastructure, improvements at the airport and the like. There are millions of dollars in energy conservation projects on the list."

There were several other cities on the Wall Street Journals list of friviolous spenders. "The Journal reported that Boynton Beach, Fla., listed an "eco park" with butterfly gardens and gopher tortoises for $4.5 million. Chula Vista, Calif., listed $500,000 to create a leash-free area for dogs. And Lincoln, Neb., proposed $3 million for an "environmentally friendly clubhouse for a municipal golf course."

I believe that this should raise peoples awareness of how their tax dollars are being spent. If this stimulus package is passed I think the citizens of Austin should make their voices heard. We elected these officials and we need to make sure they do their jobs properly. If the resources are allocated correctly it will greatly benefit all of us.

http://www.statesman.com/search/content/editorial/stories/02/05/0205frisbee_edit.html
http://www.statesman.com/search/content/news/stories/local/02/05/0205discgolf.html
http://www.statesman.com/search/content/shared-gen/ap/US_Congress/Fact_Check_Stimulus_Jobs.html