Sufficient Stimulus Funding Obligated

All 50 states have met the June 30, 2009, deadline for obligating 50% of their highway funds appropriated in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and 15 states have already obligated 80% or more of the cash. The Obama administration is castigating suggestions by Senate Majority Whip Jon Kyl of Arizona that the stimulus money not already spent should be diverted to other purposes. In a letter to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood listed all the money and projects committed to that state but not yet spent, and concluded, "I believe the stimulus has been very effective in creating job opportunities throughout the country. ... However, if you prefer to forfeit the money we are making available to the state, as Senator Kyl suggests, please let me know."