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Highlands Today

County Requests $30 Million In Fed Stimulous

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By GARY PINNELL

Highlands Today

Published: January 4, 2009

SEBRING - Highlands County plans to request $29.7 million from President Obama's economic stimulus package.

"The Association of Counties asked us to prepare a list," said County Administrator Michael Wright on Friday.

But whether Highlands County - or anyone - will get Washington money remains to be seen.

President-elect Barack Obama has pledged to craft an economic stimulus package that will save or create 3 million jobs over the next two years. Originally, the stimulus package would have cost $175 billion. These says, Washington insiders are talking about $1 trillion - the largest spending bill in U.S. history, at a time when the $10.5 trillion national debt is the largest in history.

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is a vocal critic. On Monday, Obama is to meet with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to allay concerns among Republicans and Democrats that his economic stimulus plan is too costly and too rushed.

Pelosi hopes to have an economic recovery bill awaiting Obama's signature when he takes office on Jan. 20. Reid says the Senate Democrats will need more time, and that the bill be passed in mid-February, according the Washington Post and other Capital media.

Wright doesn't know if Highlands County projects will even be considered by the president of the Congress.

"How we submit them remains to be seen," Wright said. The list itself, he said, remains "highly speculative until we know what the rules are."

Highlands Today reporter Gary Pinnell can be reached at 863-386-5828 or gpinnell@highlandstoday.com

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