“Stimulus” Likely to Leave Out Struggling Colorado County Despite Markey Pledge
FYI, a version of the release below went out to the following districts: Brad Ellsworth (IN-08); Betsy Markey (CO-04) and Ciro Rodriguez (TX-23).
“Stimulus” Likely to Leave Out Struggling Colorado County Despite Markey Pledge
Markey Promised Stimulus “Will Create and Save Jobs in Our Community,” Record Shows Otherwise
Washington – Despite Rep. Betsy Markey’s (D-CO) claim that the so-called ‘stimulus’ would put struggling Coloradans to work, an analysis conducted by the Associated Press finds that counties across the country with high unemployment rates are likely to be passed over for stimulus funds, like Crowley County, in Colorado’s 4th Congressional District.
Betsy Markey has praised stimulus funds, saying they will “create and save jobs” within her district:
“‘These funds are extremely important because they will create and save jobs in our community,’ said Rep. Betsy Markey, D-Fort Collins. ‘They will also help relieve some congestion in and around the Fort Collins area and help local businesses by spurring local economic development. This funding will also improve road safety by providing much needed repairs to our roads and bridges.’” (Robert Moore, “Northern Colorado to Get $25 Million for Road Projects,” Fort Collins Coloradoan, March 4, 2009)
To ensure that every dime would be spent efficiently, Markey went so far as to appoint a staffer to track the stimulus funds in her district:
“With the country facing its worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, nearly 50 first- or second-term Democrats in Congress have appointed ‘economic-recovery coordinators’ to ensure accountability of the federal stimulus money as it arrives.
“On Monday, three Colorado Democrats announced appointments: Reps. Ed Perlmutter of Golden and Betsy Markey of Fort Collins and Sen. Mark Udall of Eldorado Springs.”
(George Plaven, “Colorado Democrats pick stimulus-funds trackers The plan ensures money is used responsibly and may help fight off GOP critics.” Denver Post, March 3, 2009)
But now, an analysis conducted by the AP shows that right in Markey’s backyard, Crowley County in Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, is likely to be passed over despite its high unemployment rate:
“Counties suffering the most from job losses stand to receive the least help from President Barack Obama’s plan to spend billions of stimulus dollars on roads and bridges, an Associated Press analysis has found…
“The analysis also found that counties with the highest unemployment are most likely to have been passed over completely in the early spending. Among them…Crowley County, Colo.” (Brett J. Blackledge, “Stimulus Watch: Early Road Aid Leaves Out Neediest, Associated Press, May 11, 2009)
“After voting for billions of dollars in wasteful spending, the anticipated verdict is in that the stimulus isn’t helping those who need it the most,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Despite Betsy Markey’s promises to help struggling Colorado families, Crowley County is still getting hung out to dry.”