In voting against the $787 billion economic stimulus bill last February, U.S. Sen. Richard Burr called it a "hastily written bill" that would ensure "a massive debt for our grandchildren."

Last week in Bethlehem, N.C, he called a $2 million grant from the bill "a great thing for this county."

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee jumped on the discrepancy Tuesday with an e-mail blast to reporters, Barb Barrett reports.

"Senator Richard Burr, an outspoken critic of the economic stimulus package, showed himself to be a hypocrite when he recently took credit for a project funded by the stimulus package, which he voted AGAINST this past February," the committee wrote.

   Comments (3)

More than $18 million in federal economic stimulus money has been approved for water projects in the Triangle and surrounding counties, State Treasurer Janet Cowell announced today.

The Local Government Commission, headed by Cowell, signed off on $18.6 million in spending. The money is administered by the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

More than 70 projects have been approved statewide totaling $83.3 million as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The loans are interest-free to local governments and only half of the principal amount has to be repaid.

Projects include $5 million for a water treatment system in Johnston County and $465,735 to install rain water harvesting systems at 12 locations in Raleigh.