Stimulus Package Delays Seen

Congressional leaders are now backing down from their intention to have the economic stimulus legislation on the Oval Office desk inauguration day. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid have both said on the Sunday morning talk shows yesterday that they expect hearings and committee study of the legislation to last until mid February. While the Obama administration could push a final bill faster in the House, there are not enough votes for cloture in the Senate to cut off a Republican filibuster, and Republican senators do not want to be rushed, or denied the chance to hang their pet projects on the Christmas tree.

The net result of this likely delay is that the money will not begin flowing until March, but when it does, there will be even more of it. Estimated costs of the total package now range from $650 billion up to $1 trillion.

Whatever the ultimate date of passage, or the final total of the appropriation, this is no time to slacken your efforts to find out from your Congressman and state legislators which particular projects will benefit from this federal assistance. Put your team together now, get your hands on bid documents as soon as you can, and be ready to sharpen your pencil as soon as the package is finalized and signed into law. The early bird will get all the worms in this situation.