Media finds stimulus funds allocated to non-existent Congressional districts

Wednesday, 18 November 2009 10:20

Fosters Daily Democrat (NH): "This screen shot taken from Recovery.gov shows the so-called phantom N.H. congressional districts that received federal economic stimulus funds. Those charged with overseeing use of the massive economic stimulus package say "typos" are to blame for new reports that show money going to places that don't even exist. The reports at Recovery.gov, the government site that tracks the money, contain incorrect information for New Hampshire and Maine. New Hampshire doesn't have a 4th, 6th or 27th congressional district, just the two that split the state. Likewise for Maine, which the site had being home to the 23rd and 92nd districts. Both reports show money going to the "00" district, but the manager of the Granite State's office of economic stimulus, Sergio Gonzalez, said those funds account for programs that run statewide."

The Times-Picayune (LA): "But Louisianans visiting the site might find themselves not just skeptical but truly puzzled to see that nearly $5 million was listed as headed to Louisiana's 8th Congressional District, $2.8 million to the 22nd Congressional District, $1.8 million to the 12th Congressional District, and lesser amounts to the 26th, 45th, 14th, 32nd and even the 00 districts. The problem, of course, is that Louisiana only has seven congressional districts, and while those seven, to be fair, are listed as the intended destination of the lion's share of the $2.2 billion awarded to Louisiana -- of which $554 million has been delivered -- many millions of dollars are listed as bound for nonexistent districts in Louisiana ... The snafu provided a splendid opening for critics of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, as the stimulus package is more formally known. "I'm not sure how the White House allocated more than $350,000 to the Louisiana 26th Congressional District, but if they are having this much trouble keeping track of the stimulus money, how are they ever going to stay on top of the massive government-run health program they are pushing?'' asked Sen. David Vitter, R-La."

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