02-05-2009, 08:21 PM
http://shovelwatch.wnyc.org/
The package includes an insurance exemption â but only for companies that work on recreational boats longer than 65 feet. Another provision would lift a Medicare regulation affecting only three long-term care hospitals in the country. Thereâs also language requiring the Transportation Security Administration to buy 100,000 uniforms from U.S. apparel makers.
In theory and publicity, the package is âearmark free.â But it contains dozens of narrowly defined programs that send money to specific areas or cater to special interests, despite President Barack Obamaâs pledge to pass âan economic recovery plan that is free from earmarks and pet projects.â
Some â like the yacht workersâ exemption â would take little or nothing from taxpayer pockets. Others, like $3 billion in extra transit money added by the House, are handing ammo to critics who say the stimulus plan, now at about $900 billion in the Senate, has morphed into a Christmas list.
The package includes an insurance exemption â but only for companies that work on recreational boats longer than 65 feet. Another provision would lift a Medicare regulation affecting only three long-term care hospitals in the country. Thereâs also language requiring the Transportation Security Administration to buy 100,000 uniforms from U.S. apparel makers.
In theory and publicity, the package is âearmark free.â But it contains dozens of narrowly defined programs that send money to specific areas or cater to special interests, despite President Barack Obamaâs pledge to pass âan economic recovery plan that is free from earmarks and pet projects.â
Some â like the yacht workersâ exemption â would take little or nothing from taxpayer pockets. Others, like $3 billion in extra transit money added by the House, are handing ammo to critics who say the stimulus plan, now at about $900 billion in the Senate, has morphed into a Christmas list.
![[Image: boston.jpg]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/FattyJ16/boston.jpg)
