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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > October > 02
Friday, October 2, 2009
Rep. Martin: Federal stimulus highway signs are “waste of money”
State Rep. Jarrod Martin, R-Beavercreek, thinks the signs that say “Project Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act” - the federal stimulus plan - are a waste of taxpayers’ money.
Martin on Friday, Oct. 2, unveiled legislation that would stop contractors from purchasing and erecting the signs.
“The ARRA signs that you see along the highway amount to little more than political propaganda and are simply a waste of tax dollars,” Martin said in a press release.
“The taxpayers in Oho and across the country should not be asked to fund these signs letting them know the source of funding for these projects.”
Scott Varner, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Transportation, had a different view.
ODOT oversees and monitors more than $1.1 billion in transportation stimulus funds in Ohio, he said in an e-mail.
“As part of a commitment to transparency and accountability, transportation construction projects in Ohio that are funded with stimulus dollars are being recognized with signage that shows taxpayers where ARRA funds are being invested and where recovery is taking place,” Varner said.
Costs vary, but the department estimates each sign costs about $300 for materials while labor costs are about $1,000 per sign, he said.
The U.S. Department of Transportation recommends but does not require the signs. All costs for the signs come from federal stimulus - not state - money, Varner said.
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