Journal-News.com

Urbana, Ohio — Meeting with area business owners at Urbana University Monday, March 23, U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan said while he believes a recently passed federal stimulus package was poorly crafted, he will try to ensure some of the money included in the plan makes its way into Champaign County.

Jordan has criticized the $787 billion plan, which he said was loaded with too many earmarks. However, when asked whether his stance would prevent stimulus money from flowing into Champaign County, Jordan said he will try to make sure some funding is available for local projects now that the bill has been approved.

"We think it's a bad bill, but once it passed we'll try to make sure some of it is spent in Ohio," he said.

Jordan argued that many of the earmarks in the spending bill will do little to help the economy as a whole, although they can be beneficial in some cases.

"I think there are some earmarks that make sense," Jordan said. "The question is can you look a taxpayer in the eye from some other part of the country to ask them if it's OK if you could spend their money?"

Jordan also attacked several of President Barack Obama's economic policies, saying they don't make sense during a recession.

He accused the Obama administration of attempting to raise taxes, unionize the workforce, and nationalize health care, among other accusations.

"For the first time in my life I'm a little anxious about where we're headed as a nation for a number of reasons," he said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0355 or msanctis@coxohio.com.