State - Congressman and Amador County representative Dan Lungren joined fellow Republicans in casting a “no” vote for the Democrat proposed $825 billion stimulus bill which passed 244 – 188 along party lines last Wednesday. The approval is still a big victory for President Barack Obama, despite failed appeals for bipartisanship. Obama says the plan will create more than three million jobs over the next few years. But Lungren sees the 647-page bill as “a virtual laundry list of government programs, most of which will do nothing to stimulate the economy.” Republicans are complaining that the package is loaded with items that seem more likely to promote liberal agendas than to stimulate the economy. “Tonight we had an opportunity to really implement vehicles that would have an immediate effect on our ailing economy but when you look at the frivolous spending in this bill, along with what it will cost my constituents, there is no way I could vote for it,” Lungren said. Democratic strategists believe the GOP blundered by unanimously opposing Obama just after he made a high-profile attempt to reach across the aisle. Despite strong opinions for and against, it is still too early to tell how this package will effect California. Of the $63-billion projected for California, approximately $44 billion would go towards “shovel ready” infrastructure projects, unemployment benefits and improving healthcare for the poor. 12.5 million of the state's residents are expected to benefit from a tax break of up to $500 per individual and $1,000 per couple, says the Center on Budget, Policy and Priorities. According to Lungren, the cost estimate for residents of the Third Congressional District comes to $2,700 for every man, woman and child. Lungren sees much of the spending as unnecessary, including $1 billion for Amtrak; $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts; $400 million for global-warming research; and $2.4 billion for carbon-capture demonstration projects. While Democrats like San Jose Representative Zoe Lofgren say “the package is a step in the long journey to economic recovery,” Lungren and his colleagues see it as a step in the wrong direction. “These are difficult circumstances we face and let’s not allow the current economic situation to be an excuse to engage in a spending spree which will add to a growing mountain of debt,” Lungren said. Story by Alex Lane
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State - Congressman and Amador County representative Dan Lungren joined fellow Republicans in casting a “no” vote for the Democrat proposed $825 billion stimulus bill which passed 244 – 188 along party lines last Wednesday. The approval is still a big victory for President Barack Obama, despite failed appeals for bipartisanship. Obama says the plan will create more than three million jobs over the next few years. But Lungren sees the 647-page bill as “a virtual laundry list of government programs, most of which will do nothing to stimulate the economy.” Republicans are complaining that the package is loaded with items that seem more likely to promote liberal agendas than to stimulate the economy. “Tonight we had an opportunity to really implement vehicles that would have an immediate effect on our ailing economy but when you look at the frivolous spending in this bill, along with what it will cost my constituents, there is no way I could vote for it,” Lungren said. Democratic strategists believe the GOP blundered by unanimously opposing Obama just after he made a high-profile attempt to reach across the aisle. Despite strong opinions for and against, it is still too early to tell how this package will effect California. Of the $63-billion projected for California, approximately $44 billion would go towards “shovel ready” infrastructure projects, unemployment benefits and improving healthcare for the poor. 12.5 million of the state's residents are expected to benefit from a tax break of up to $500 per individual and $1,000 per couple, says the Center on Budget, Policy and Priorities. According to Lungren, the cost estimate for residents of the Third Congressional District comes to $2,700 for every man, woman and child. Lungren sees much of the spending as unnecessary, including $1 billion for Amtrak; $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts; $400 million for global-warming research; and $2.4 billion for carbon-capture demonstration projects. While Democrats like San Jose Representative Zoe Lofgren say “the package is a step in the long journey to economic recovery,” Lungren and his colleagues see it as a step in the wrong direction. “These are difficult circumstances we face and let’s not allow the current economic situation to be an excuse to engage in a spending spree which will add to a growing mountain of debt,” Lungren said. Story by Alex Lane
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