Voinovich votes No on Stimulus Bull - Thank You!

While it might be shocking for some, I want to take the time and thank Senator Voinovich for voting NO against Obama's pork-fest of a stimulus bill.

The PD printed this following statement from Senator Voinovich...

"I keenly understand that Ohioans are hurting and our nation needs an economic shot in the arm. I worked towards and was prepared to support a package that put people back to work, injected needed capital into our economy and provided a safety net for families who the recession hit the hardest. I voted against this bill because it is weighed down by too much spending that is not stimulative and will not provide the jump-start our economy so desperately needs. Instead of funding federal responsibilities that are shovel-ready, like highways, sewers and housing, which would put people back to work quickly and the results of which would contribute to our nation's economic growth, this bill is filled with items that should be funded through the regular appropriations process and compete with other federal priorities in President Obama's budget request.

"Our nation is facing a catastrophic debt and this bill simply adds to that debt without fulfilling the well-accepted stimulus criteria that the funds be timely, targeted and temporary. It is irresponsible for us to attempt to save the present by mortgaging the future. It is my hope that my colleagues on the conference committee will get back to basics and do the work the American people are asking them to do: ensure that each and every dollar in this bill is focused on creating jobs, jump-starting the economy and responding to the human needs brought about by the deep recession our country is experiencing."

As Senator Voinovich refused to mortgage our future on a liberal wish list, Senatwhore Sherrod Brown swallowed all of Obama's big pork package with no problem. Senatwhore Brown mouthed the same empty rhetoric that President Barack O-Pimp Daddy has been trying to sell us about how this bill will create jobs and put people back to work.

The stimulus bill - will NOT create jobs immediately, in fact it will not even create jobs or get people back to work soon. I believe I have read somewhere that construction workers have the highest percentage of people not working or laid off. Stimulus supporters keep trying to sell everyone on the "shovel ready" infrastructure projects part of the bill as a way to create construction jobs. But when?

Being involved in all aspects of infrastructure construction, from planning & design to construction & completion - I can speak with some authority in this area. The term "shovel ready" regarding infrastructure projects is misleading for most people and I am truly confident the tormented electors throwing it around in D.C. have no real concept of what they are saying.

Here, using a standard road project & sewer reconstruction project in the City of Kingville I will review the work involved in starting one of the so-called "shovel ready" projects to begin; First we will have to assume that the project has been designed, and that all right of way and easement acquisitions are complete (depending on the scope of the project - these can be very time consuming). We will also assume that approval from all regulating agencies, that can range from the - EPA, Corp of Engineers, City Engineer, NEORSD, County Sanitary Engineers to the controlling water entity of that area.

With those tasks being complete, the project will be put out to bid (@1mth), after approval from council the bid is awarded. Once the bid has been awarded and the contract has been executed a Notice to Proceed (@2wks) is given and the project can begin. Right? Nope - that is just the first step.

A preconstruction meeting is held, we will assume within 2 weeks of Notice to Proceed, and present are all the utility companies - Gas, water, electric, cable, & phone. After coordinating with these entities and verifying there is no conflict with these existing utilities. If there is, relocating of the utility or redesigning this area of project is in order. Depending on the impact of the conflict - this can take anywhere from a couple days for redesign or up to weeks for the relocation work to be scheduled and then longer to be completed. (We will assume no relocation or redesign work is needed).

Usually somewhere between the Notice to Proceed and the preconstruction meeting the contractor will start ordering the material for the project and having the structures made. In most cases while the manufacturers will have standard structures (manholes, catch basins, pipe, etc...) in stock, but usually need to make the structures from the shop drawings approved for the project. Best case scenario for this time frame would be a minimum of 2 -4 weeks.

Now comes the big problem -- the city has to appropriate the money for the contract to be awarded. So as you see - if the cities were given the stimulus cash today - these shovel ready projects are at best, under optimum conditions and no delays, are at least 3 -4 months away from starting. In my opinion, a more realistic and reasonable view of a projected start date for these "shovel-ready" projects would be about 6-8 months - AFTER the stimulus funds are received.

It appears Senator Voinovich understands the value of these infrastructure projects as a way to jump start the economy and just as important, he recognizes that because of the inherent lag time of this work - time is of the essence for a good stimulus bill being passed. Unfortunately, Senator Voinovich and almost all the other intelligent Senators, were not given a good bill and were out voted by the Democrat Senatwhores.