Republican Watchdog Group to Watch Stimulus Spending
Today A group of Republicans said they are creating a (Stimulus Spending Watchdog Group) to keep track of who,why,what and how the stimulus money is spent. They intend to make as much problems as they can whenever they find anything they do not like. I just want them to go back and account for the 7.5 Trillion that they let Bush spend in 2007 and 2008 before Oboma took office. They do not seem concerned about any of that money. They only want oversight on money that Oboma is responsible for. Contact your Congress person and insist they also track where they hid the other 7.5 Trillion.
Grand Obstructionist Party
I find it gauliing that Republicans are all over the air waves making false statements about which organizatons are getting money from the stimulus package. Also, voting against the bill and then taking credit for the fact that their state is getting money. I don't see any of those nay sayers refusing the money on ideological grounds.
They have some nerve -- blaming Roosevelt for the Depression when he wasn't even in office - claiming acorn is getting 5 billion dollars when they are not -- claiming that projects with no value will be funded. Lies and more lies to obstruct any progress -- and then continuing to propose the old ways that got us here. We have to be more savy than that!
Stimulus Money: Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance spending spree
Feb. 12, 2010
Imagine if you will, being un-employed for six months or more. Going on the tightest budget you have ever had to go on. Telling your children that things are going to be difficult and you can barely afford to keep dinner on the table. Then having to cancel your homeowners insurance, health insurance and cut back to bare bones because you have no income. But wait...help is just down the street at Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance. An community agency that is there to assist you. Provide re-training and help in finding you a job, perhaps in another field but employment just the same...thank goodness.
You sit down to a meager dinner and low and behold, there is the agency on the news. The very agency you sought help from last week. They are having a ball, literally. An awards style dinner and banquet complete with ice and food sculptures and oh! the deserts! What recognition for all their hard work and jobs created and saved and found! Help is on the way! Wait..not so fast..Listen...Steve Summers with Channel 8 News has uncovered a spending spree with taxpayer dollars. Stimulus money.
Cupcakes anyone? $50.00 a dozen. Cheesecake at 9.00 a slice. Dinners and lunches catered in to their offices at tens of thousands of dollars. All taxpayer funded dollars. YOUR money. A "Get Away" for the employees at a five star hotel ...room service and stocked bars and rental cars and on and on and on...Parties, gifts, raises anyone?
Surely something will be done right? Yes..The agency will lease a Comedy Club and hire a Comedian for their own entertainment..they need cheering up! They are sad that they have been caught spending your money and have no way to pay any of it back. This is only a small part of what they have been caught doing.
Is this the same Tampa Workforce Alliance listed under the Recovery. gov web site? Being praised for their hard work and innovation? How many jobs again??
And the spending goes on and what is being uncovered is shocking, even to many of us who thought we had seen it all. This being done after receiving a large chunk of your tax dollars. Stimulus money. The arrogance of this agency is appalling.
Pam
How about a link to varify your comment?
Pam, could you please provide a link to this?
Anyone can say things like this, we like facts here.
Link: Tampa Bay Work Force Alliance
TBO.com, click on Investigation.
TBO.com is Tampa Bay Online.
Renee Gilmore, President of this agency was placed on leave last week and then this week, she abruptly resigned. A formal investigation has finally been announced and thus far 133,000 is under investigation and the total is expected to be much, much higher with more abuse and stealing uncovered daily. The investigation has been dubbed the "Stimulus Spending Food Frenzy" by the media because so much was spent on food and catering not only to offices but private homes as well.
Steve Andrews with Channel 8 News is the Journalist that uncovered this stimulus spending spree. I incorrectly identified the Journalist as Steve Summers. Apology to all.
I did receive a response to my questions and concerns after contacting Gov. Crists' office. My letter to Gov. Crist was forwarded on to to Matthews and I was contacted by James Matthews, Inspector General for Workforce Innovation.
Tampa Related Link
Tampa Bay Work Force Alliance
Pam, I thank you for
Pam,
I thank you for alerting us to this, and you wont find anyone here who dosnt think ANY and all abuses should be reported and dealt with. But, that does not take away from what the stimulus money was meant for and SHOULD be doing. There was a Republcian governor just the other day complaining about the spending of this money only to find out that HE was using that money to pay off the debts of his state instead of on projects meant to help put people back to work. THAT is just as much an abuse as what happened in Tampa. Furthermore,
So, while I fully understand the angst, we cannot throw out the baby with the bath water. I would only point ot the fact that if we went back over the TARP money that Bush doled out, and the other money the Republicans went through over the past several years, you would be in twice as much angst. But, as usual, Im guessing this is more to do with partisanship than with actual upset over tax dollar money
And, while their access should not be allowed, they are providing the service they said they would.