L.A. has spent only a quarter of its federal stimulus funds

Los Angeles has spent only about a quarter of the more than $630 million in stimulus grants it has received from the federal government.

That's a rate of spending that trails tha    t of New York, Chicago and several other large California cities.

Though the bulk of L.A.'s stimulus money was awarded by last March, the city had completed only eight of its 108 projects by mid-October.

L.A. officials say they have been hampered by a painful irony. As millions of federal stimulus dollars flowed in the door, the city was reeling from cost-cutting measures that led to the exodus of 2,400 experienced workers through an early-retirement program and more than 360 layoffs. On top of that, many city workers, including some who are handling stimulus projects, are forced to be on furlough 16 to 26 days a year.

Read more: "L.A. lags behind other big cities on spending of federal stimulus funds."

ALSO:

Rain, rain won't go away

Christmas light display honors a fallen soldier

In San Clemente, price of ocean views may be peace of mind

-- Maeve Reston

Comments

[john]

So then why is he in Washington asking for more transit money? Clowns.

[john]

I have a good place to start, the pothole on the northbound exit of Tampa blvd on the 101, i almost bottomed out on it today.

[Michael]

Too bad every city only spent 1/4 their stimulus funds. Stimulus money is nothing more that Federal waste. It hasn't created any jobs, and is a complete failure.

[Nicole]

That is the irony isn't it. LA better spend it if they want it, because it will expire and Congress will not renew the funding.

[Ken M]

clowns is right.

What this is really about, is arranging for the "right" contractors to get the contracts. Those contractors are already very busy, so they don't want to use up this money on "others".

Gotta make sure the right back gets scratched. Anyone with a brain knows that they could contract out this work in about a millisecond.