Imaginary Districts Receive Stimulus Money
There are questions about how the federal government is spending tax dollars. It appears millions of economic stimulus dollars are being spent in Congressional districts that do not exist.In Tennessee, federal economic stimulus money is being spent on several projects including the creation of thousands of jobs. The money became available when lawmakers passed the stimulus package earlier this year. President Obama promised government transparency.
Americans would be able to see where every dollar was spent by going to the government website Recovery.gov. People started checking and they’ve found problems.
Ben Cunningham is with Tennessee Tax Revolt, an advocacy group for taxpayers. “It just adds to the stereotype that government can’t find it’s behind with both hands if you’ll excuse the expression,” said Cunningham.
Recovery.gov showed stimulus money spent in imaginary congressional districts, seven districts that are in Tennessee. According to the website nearly $54 million had been spent in the districts, and nearly $41 million in a district called 00. There was an imaginary 47th district where the government had apparently spent $2.3 million.
“Yes, the 47th district in Tennessee. That’s right. Boy, we’re going to have a lot of pull in Congress next in redistricting,” said Cunningham. Tennessee has only nine congressional districts, and they are numbered one through nine.
