For a variety of reasons, recipients of stimulus money are not
spending it. Dollars destined for energy efficiency in Detroit
have barely been used. Worried that next year they might not be
able to afford teachers hired with stimulus money, school
districts in NJ, Texas, NYC, and CA have said that they are not
spending it. Other places have just not figured out what to do
with their money. Responding to criticism about slow spending,
the Obama Admnistration points out that the stimulus package had
3 sections. They say that: 1) $360 billion in tax breaks and
other help for businesses and individuals has been paid out. 2)
The $296 billion that targeted unemployment assistance, food
stamps, and other aid programs has mostly been spent. 3) $170
billion meant for infrastructure projects has not been spent
while $66 billion has. You might want to look at the Obama
administration’s stimulus website to identify local projects.
Have you seen any spending near your home? The Economic Lesson
Fiscal policy includes gover