I can honestly say that I have never seen a money grab such as the one between all 50 states.  What I am referring to is the federal stimulus money the government is handing out to the states for various reasons.  But nonetheless, the states and cities are getting their share.  Seattle, Washington is a good example of how lawmakers and city and/or state officials argue over how the funds they receive are to be spent.

For instance, earlier this week, Washington state legislators unveiled a plan on how to spend the state government’s $341 million share of the combined $492 million in federal highway aid that will go to local and state jurisdictions.  The list, which was long on smaller projects such as road repaving and replacement of traffic cameras, didn’t include any funding for the city of Seattle.  As you’d expect, the mayor of that city complained.

And the state of Washington isn’t alone in figuring out their shares of the federal stimulus money will be spent; New York, Michigan, Florida and Missouri have those issues to deal with themselves.  But by and large Washington state is probably at the moment the state that is infighting the most.  Washington state will receive $492 million of the available $26.8 billion that comes from the stimulus package.  Of that amount, $151 million goes to local jurisdictions – including $70 million going directly to  the Seattle vicinity under a provision that sends money to metropolitan areas.

But Seattle wanted more…much more.  They were looking to get $75 million more to help fund two projects that the city claims will help create 1,300 jobs – including  the rebuilding of a congested  road called Mercer Street into a major thoroughfare which leads to Seattle’s growing South Lake Union neighborhood.  Coincidentally or not, the area is home to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a University of Washington School of Medicine research facility and some other employers.

But no matter what money goes where, Washington governor Chris Gregoire said she is working  with the Legislature to put Seattle road projects on the list of funding from the state’s share of federal money but the lawmakers said the list isn’t going to change.  As all of you who listen to The Republican Temple already know, I am dead set against this stimulus package.  But it’s here and there’s no turning back…until 2010.  Having said that, my mindset is like this:  if you know you’re getting this stimulus money, do yourself a big favor.  Plan well in advance and get your ducks lined up in a row; in other words, get your money prioritized so there’s no bitching and moaning when the funds arrive.  I mean really – how hard can that possibly be?