The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released its second analysis of the $787 billion federal stimulus program. It's conclusion: less than satisfied.
GAO analysts concluded that $29 billion of the $49 billion of state-directed stimulus funds has been distributed thus far. The problem is that 90% of this $29 billion was allocated by the states to stabilize state budgets and supplement Medicaid programs. No new jobs, few "shovel ready" infrastructure projects, and increased size of government. So far, $1.3 billion of the total $1.8 billion for West Virginia has been reported.
The GAO made no specific study of West Virginia, but the numbers don't lie. According to the state's recovery website, West Virginia is doing a fairly good job providing transparency of stimulus expenditures. Regardless of feelings about the federal spending, West Virginia lawmakers are pretty close to their mission statement: "to jumpstart the nation’s economy, create or save millions of jobs, and provide a monumental investment in our future." Here's the result:
Nationally: 63% of funding to date has been allocated to Medicaid FMAP spending
WV State: 27% of funding to date has been allocated to Medicaid FMAP spending
Nationally: 13% of funding to date has been allocated to the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund to supplement education programs
WV State: 16% of funding to date has been allocated to the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund to supplement education programs
Nationally: 6% of funding to date has been allocated to "shovel ready" Highway Infrastructure fund to create and preserve jobs immediately
WV State: 18% of funding to date has been allocated to "shovel ready" Highway Infrastructure fund to create and preserve jobs immediately
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