Despite Pledges, Package Has Some Pork (Washington Post)

[Paulaguyon]

By Dan Eggen and Ellen Nakashima Washington Post Staff Writers Friday, February 13, 2009; Page A06


The compromise stimulus bill adopted by House and Senate negotiators this week is not free of spending that benefits specific communities, industries or groups, despite vows by President Obama that the legislation would be kept clear of pet projects, according to lawmakers, legislative aides and anti-tax groups.

The deal provides $8 billion for high-speed rail projects, for example, including money that could benefit a controversial proposal for a magnetic-levitation rail line between Disneyland, in California, and Las Vegas, a project favored by Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.). The 311-mph train could make the trip from Sin City to Tomorrowland in less than two hours, according to backers.

A new alliance of battery companies won $2 billion in grants and loans in the stimulus package to jump-start the domestic lithium ion industry. Filipino veterans, most of whom do not live in the United States, will get $200 million in long-awaited compensation for service in World War II.

The nation's small shipyards also made out well, with $100 million in grant money -- a tenfold increase in funding from last year, when the federal Maritime Administration launched the program to benefit yards in places such as Ketchikan, Alaska, and Bayou La Batre, Ala.

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/12/AR2009021203502.html

[liberal N proud]

1. Don't pick on Las Vegas, LOL

The mayor is already upset about the Obama administration picking on Las Vegas.


But I don't see how a high speed rail can be called pork? Mag-lev cool technology and we need to be investing in it.

[zbdent]

2. why does the Washington Post hate veterans?

:sarcasm: