When Senator Bill Nelson rubberstamped Barack Obama’s $787 billion stimulus into law, he promised the legislation would ‘create or save’ nearly 206,000 jobs. Unfortunately that prediction was grossly inaccurate, because some of the largest stimulus projects in areas like Palm Beach County fell 80 percent short of the jobs it was suppose to ‘create or save.’
As the Palm Beach Post reports:
“The largest stimulus-fueled road projects in Palm Beach County have created less than 20 percent of the jobs once promised, a Palm Beach Post analysis based on federal job-creation standards shows. … Local officials forecast nearly 600 jobs at five of Palm Beach County’s largest projects in early 2009. At least that many people got paychecks. But the hours worked amount to slightly more than 100 “full-time equivalent” jobs, based on 40-hour work weeks.”
“When Bill Nelson rubberstamped Barack Obama’s $787 billion stimulus into law, he promised the legislation would restore Florida’s economy, but he was dead wrong, because in areas like Palm Beach County the legislation fell 80 percent short of the jobs it was supposed to ‘create or save,’” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox. “Rather than listening to Nelson’s empty promises, Florida deserves a Senator who will work on passing pro-growth legislation that will actually create jobs and get the Sunshine State moving forward once again.”
Background
Bill Nelson Promised The Stimulus Would ‘Create Or Save’ 206,000 Jobs
BILL NELSON: “Specifically, in Florida, this bill is going to ‘create or save’ 206,000 jobs. Nationwide it is going to be somewhere between 3 million and 4 million jobs it is going to create or save.” (Sen. Bill Nelson, Congressional Record, 2/13/09, p. S2281)
- Nelson Predicted The Jobs Would Be Restored Within A Year And A Half. “He said the package is expected to restore 206,000 of the 255,000 jobs lost in Florida so far in the economic crisis, within one-and-a-half years.” (Deborah Buckhalter, “Sen. Nelson Speaks To Stimulus,” Jackson County Floridan, 2/19/09)
In Areas Like Palm Beach County, The Stimulus Grossly Underperformed
The Hours Worked On County Projects Add Up To Only “100 ‘Full Time Equivalent’ Jobs.” “Local officials forecast nearly 600 jobs at five of Palm Beach County’s largest projects in early 2009. At least that many people got paychecks. But the hours worked amount to slightly more than 100 ‘full-time equivalent’ jobs, based on 40-hour work weeks.” (Charles Elmore, “Post Investigation: Did Stimulus Money Create Jobs In Palm Beach County?” The Palm Beach Post, 7/24/11)
· “The Indian Street Bridge, Once Expected To Create 3,500 Jobs But Delayed By A Legal Challenge, Employed 105 Workers In Its June Jobs Report.”(Charles Elmore, “Post Investigation: Did Stimulus Money Create Jobs In Palm Beach County?” The Palm Beach Post, 7/24/11)
One Stimulus Road Project Expected To Employ 144 Workers Only Led To 23 Full-Time Jobs. “In Riviera Beach, the city projected 144 jobs for resurfacing Blue Heron Boulevard and A1A and adding sidewalks, streetlights and landscaping, consulting engineer Lal John Samadi said. As many as 162 workers have received paychecks in any given month, records show. But the 48,450 hours they’ve logged over a year add up to the equivalent of 23 full-time jobs.” (Charles Elmore, “Post Investigation: Did Stimulus Money Create Jobs In Palm Beach County?” The Palm Beach Post, 7/24/11)
· And Another Expected To Fund 123 Jobs Only Led To 22 Full-Time Jobs. “Similarly, a Tequesta Bridge replacement project originally estimated 123 jobs, according to the county’s Metropolitan Planning Organization. Based on hours reported, it created the equivalent of 22 full-time jobs in the year before its completion in December.” (Charles Elmore, “Post Investigation: Did Stimulus Money Create Jobs In Palm Beach County?” The Palm Beach Post, 7/24/11)
Since The Stimulus Was Passed Florida Has Lost Over 95,000 Jobs
As Of June 2011, Florida Has Lost 95,906 Jobs Since The Stimulus Passed In February 2009. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.data.bls.gov, Accessed 7/25/11)
Florida’s Unemployment Rate Was 9.0% When The Stimulus Passed In February 2009. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.data.bls.gov, Accessed 7/25/11)
By June 2011, Florida’s Unemployment Rate Had Risen To 10.6%. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.data.bls.gov, Accessed 7/25/11)
