Your Stimulus Tax Dollars at Work—in 2011 or Later

Ohio wants to spend $57 million in federal stimulus money on highway projects that won't begin for years, an unusual strategy for money that President Barack Obama said should be used to give the economy an immediate job-creating jolt.

Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland and the state's transportation officials passed over some ready-to-go construction projects and steered 7 percent of their $774 million share for planning and preliminary studies.

That infuriated some local leaders who hoped the money would build even more new bridges or resurface roads in the cash-strapped state, where unemployment recently hit a 25-year high of 9.4 percent.

"I could have dug the darn thing myself, that's how shovel-ready we were," said Fostoria Mayor John Davoli, who sought $10 million to build bridges over two railroad crossings and was denied.

Not to worry, gentle and kind taxpayer, those dollars are still a-stimulatin':

"We're putting planners and engineers to work, too, so I think it does fit the spirit of the stimulus package to develop projects today that have opportunities for tomorrow," said Scott Varner, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Develop projects today that have opportunities tomorrow. It all makes so much sense, especially keeping planners and engineers on the payroll—you know, create and save jobs and all that jazz. Especially for money that is supposed to be spent right now, just like in that Van Halen song about Pepsi Clear.

Whole AP account, which notes that Ohio is alone (so far) in using such dollars for planning crap. Though expect similar stories of stimulus-fueled bogosity for the next oh five years or so.