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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > October > 02 > Entry
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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By XRumerTest
March 17, 2011 2:46 PM | Link to this
Hello. And Bye.
By XRumerTest
March 13, 2011 11:15 AM | Link to this
Hello. And Bye.
By Erotikkontakte aus Niedersachsen
February 6, 2011 3:41 PM | Link to this
The best things come in small packages.
By Single Kontakt zum Flirten aus Essen
February 6, 2011 3:36 PM | Link to this
A word to the wise is sufficient.
By Weittyodove
August 6, 2010 6:24 PM | Link to this
Continue the wonderful work! twisted minds think alike: Unequivocally, ideal answer
By missfema
April 25, 2010 3:03 AM | Link to this
Hello everyone. I’m new and thought I might introduce myself. I don’t know if this is the best category to post this, but I have been in search of somewhere to chill and read some good discussion. I believe www.journal-news.com will solve that. I have to go off now, but am looking for some great reading. Have a exceptional day.
By Meg
November 12, 2009 12:28 PM | Link to this
Ohio has benefited from the federal stimulus. I just read a report by Policy Matters Ohio, “The Road To Recovery: Analysis of Federal Stimulus Spending for Transportation Projects in Ohio” stating that Ohio succeeded in finding projects that would address the greatest economic needs. The report further states that no region was left out of receiving transportation stimulus funds.
By John857
October 28, 2009 5:01 AM | Link to this
Very nice site!
By dhampton100
October 6, 2009 5:34 PM | Link to this
Why are most of the Republican Politian’s from Beavercreek so dumb and outright nuts? From Steve Austria to this nut they demagogue every issue they can till it is drained of life. If Martin had secured the funds for these projects I bet he would have his name out there taking credit.
By Mark
October 6, 2009 12:29 PM | Link to this
Does anybody have real statistics as to how many jobs have been “created” by all this road work? My gut feeling tells me that the figures are not significant. We are not in the 1930s anymore. People are not creating these highways with shovels. Enourmous machines are doing the work with much fewer people required than in the Great Depression. The ones reaping the benefits are only the construction companies. We will soon have roads of gold with no one who can afford to drive on them.
By Mark
October 6, 2009 12:28 PM | Link to this
Does anybody have real statistics as to how many jobs have been “created” by all this road work? My gut feeling tells me that the figures are not significant. We are not in the 1930s anymore. People are not creating these highways with shovels. Enourmous machines are doing the work with much fewer people required than in the Great Depression. The ones reaping the benefits are only the construction companies. We will soon have roads of gold with no one who can afford to drive on them.
By Kristy
October 6, 2009 10:28 AM | Link to this
We saw those signs all the way through Illinois also. What a waste-the point some of you are missingis that when the money runs out (and it will) the signs won’t be maintained/replaced, Ultimately, a complete waste.
By IO
October 5, 2009 3:20 PM | Link to this
Rep Martin could you please focus yourself on the State of Ohio? Unless you are running for president next term (god forbid) I’m not paying you to take on DC. Why does every politician have to pretend his opinion is needed everywhere? Could you impress me with doing something for Ohio please? You never did anything for Beavercreek, could you start now?
By Mike
October 5, 2009 9:11 AM | Link to this
Rep. Martin needs to find something more constructive to do with his time instead of wasting our taxmoney on frivilous actions. Most people want to know where their taxmoney is going but apparently he thinks differently. Of the thousands of needs this country has this is what Rep. Martin wants to pursue. What a joke.
By ironmyke
October 5, 2009 7:56 AM | Link to this
Politics. If you support the federal government’s efforts to increase economic activity and create jobs, then you understand and appreciate that the signs gave someone a job. If you don’t support the program, then this becomes another issue to criticize.
By Darden
October 4, 2009 1:29 PM | Link to this
$1300 that could have been spent on something more useful than a darn sign. That could be $1300 more bucks in each of our pockets. I want my money
By chris
October 4, 2009 9:53 AM | Link to this
Leave the advertising to Obama and his campaign funds. How “green” is it to make and place those signs everywhere? All the resources that could be out to better use- like school funding….or library funding…
By larry
October 4, 2009 8:06 AM | Link to this
Can the Homeless use the Signs for Shelter
By Ethel S.
October 3, 2009 3:12 PM | Link to this
Those $1300 signs are another reminder of the big waste of money that whole stimulus package has been. Where are the real jobs for Ohio?
By null
October 3, 2009 1:35 PM | Link to this
If improvements from tax dollars arent acknowledged, we never know how our money is spent. If we didnt know then we would complain about that. I dont think that having the signs is bad. Like it or not, the majority did put the current federal level legislature in (i did not vote for Obama) and we have representation for the taxation. Quityurbitchin
By Grandma Sue
October 3, 2009 10:52 AM | Link to this
Labor to install a sign costs $1,000 ?!?! God all mighty! Why doesn’t Ohio outlaw the frickin’ unions that are simply sucking Ohio taxpayers dry?
By Dave
October 3, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this
Since a STATE representative is so focused on FEDERAL spending, that must mean that the state’s problems are pretty well ironed out, right? After all, we have a balanced state budget and a constitutional means of financing the schools, don’t we?
By angry citizen
October 3, 2009 8:42 AM | Link to this
Why do they have to be so big?!?!?!?! A smaller sign would be a little more acceptable, but no sign is better. Obama is making this country look like a joke! BTW- Congrats Rio!
By Keith
October 3, 2009 12:42 AM | Link to this
Take that $1,300.00 per sign and put it towards an increase in a teachers salery. Teach the future of our country the three R’s. Enough waste of the tax payers dollars. Pay our teachers a descent salary and get good qualified teachers.
By Greg
October 3, 2009 12:00 AM | Link to this
That 1/2 mile stretch was just re-done a couple years ago. I pulled my camper on that stretch before they resurfaced it and it was smooth as a baby’s b-hind
By The signs are a waste
October 2, 2009 9:47 PM | Link to this
Scott Varner must be the biggest political hack this side of Washington, D.C. One of these signs was put up for a half mile stretch of road that was repaved in Miami County.
By don norman
October 2, 2009 9:46 PM | Link to this
Amen Rep. Martin. No more need to glorify the Messiah Obama!
By don norman
October 2, 2009 9:45 PM | Link to this
Amen Rep. Martin. No more need to glorify the Messiah Obama!