Eachus Wants Stimulus Money To Flow Quickly

The key to Pennsylvania’s economic recovery is how fast the state can put its estimated $18 billion in stimulus funding to work, according to an area state representative.

State House Majority Leader Todd Eachus, D-Butler Township, said Thursday the state is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the federal stimulus money. Gov. Ed Rendell said the state’s allocation must be spent in designated program areas over the next 24 to 27 months.

“It is extremely important that the stimulus money goes into the state economy as soon as possible,” Eachus said. “With job losses on the rise in Northeast Pennsylvania, we need to get these projects started as quickly as we can.”

However, the day before Fast Eddy Rendell had this to say about the stimulus money.
Rendell: Stimulus will be well-spent Officials estimate that approximately $8 billion will come to Pennsylvania in the form of lower federal taxes and other benefits. Another $4 billion is slated for the state’s Medicaid program, which provides health care for nearly 2 million poor, elderly and disabled residents.

What a shame(cough, scam). Over twenty two percent of the stimulus money will be spent on welfare. "With job losses on the rise"....How is that a stimulus creating permanent JOBS? How is that money any different than money spent on banks and carmakers just to keep them going, not to create plan for permanent sustainability?