newsobserver.com projects - Hackney: Stimulus would help N.C. - Comments

Re: Hackney: Stimulus would help N.C.

Real_Americans_Think — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:47:40 -0500

Yeah, Less Merit's shoes will be impossible to fill - it would be hard to have an auditor as corrupt or partison as Merit-Less

Re: Hackney: Stimulus would help N.C.

FFC1304 — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:34:48 -0500

oh Rob, the democrackkks are just giddy over the demise of Les Merritt...

MORE CORRUPTION WITHOUT INTERRUPTION!

Re: Hackney: Stimulus would help N.C.

robdarich — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:21:06 -0500

But what if the fed money comes with strings attached - like NC can't divert funds to silly wastes of money? That might screw-up our whole system. "We are doing our best to cope" indicates that our fine state has achieved our best performance. I might suggest that "more money" doesn't seem to be the issue, nor the answer.

On the other hand, DOT has removed all the "Exit 343 Furniture" yard signs from I-40 again - so some credit's due. Odd that nobody's noted the need for state auditors and independent oversight groups... sure could use some big-footed Les Merritt types (his shoes are going to be near impossible to fill.)

Hackney: Stimulus would help N.C.

ryanteaguebeckwith — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:51:06 -0500

Joe Hackney says federal stimulus would boost the North Carolina economy.

The speaker of the N.C. House of Representatives argued at a press conference in Washington, D.C., this morning that billions in spending on infrastructure projects, social welfare programs and renewable energy projects would keep the economic situation from worsening.

"We are doing the best we can to cope with our fiscal situation," he said. "Now it's time for Congress and our next administration to support our state efforts."

As current president of the National Conference of State Legislatures, Hackney was also scheduled to speak with U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi by phone this afternoon. He sent a letter to President-elect Barack Obama last month requesting more funding for states.

The National Governors Association has identified $136 billion in specific transportation projects it says could be ready to begin if funding is approved by Congress.

Hackney would not identify specific projects in North Carolina, though he said that replacing the Yadkin River Bridge, extending urban highway loops and improving mass transit systems would likely be included.

"I think every state has a list of ready-to-go projects, but it serves no useful purpose to run that out today," he said.