After strongly criticizing President Obama’s $787-billion economic stimulus package, Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) has agreed to accept all $17 billion of the state’s earmarked federal money. The big question now is where and when the money will be spent.
The Texas Transportation Commission and the State Legislative Budget Board are both meeting to discuss how to distribute the monies and put Texans back to work, but it is unclear when plans for all specific projects will be announced. At least $2.2 billion will go to the Texas Dept. of Transportation for roads and bridges. TxDOT spokesman Chris Lippincott says the agency has given the Texas House Select Committee of Federal Economic Stabilization Funding a project work list.