www.stimuluswatch.org is a portal for citizens to vote on which projects submitted by local governments might be funded through the recently-passed stimulus package.
It is unknown whether this is a plecebo or if granting federal agencies will truly consider the results of the popular vote.
In the list of projects submitted by the City of Fort Smith, a number of requests are wastewater and sewer improvements that have been mandated by the EPA and the Department of Justice. Citizens are funding $140 million in improvements in the next few years. Our choices on these projects aren’t whether they’re necessary – but HOW we want to fund them. Our choices are:
- rate increases
- local sales taxes
- federal stimulus funds (ultimately via income taxes)
If you’re so inclined, view all the projects and vote here.