Mark Szakonyi, Associate Editor | Aug 17, 2012 12:35PM EDT
The Obama administration on Friday made $473 million in funding originally allocated to earmark projects available to states.
The money was set aside for appropriations between fiscal 2003 and 2006, but the dollars weren't spent because of Obama's and Congress’s ban on earmarks. States must identify by Oct. 1 the projects — which can range from highway construction to port enhancements — for which they would use the funds.
“We are freeing up these funds so states can get down to the business of moving transportation projects forward and putting our friends and neighbors back to work,” Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said.
The move is part of Obama’s “We Can’t Wait” initiative, an attack on the Republican-controlled House for not doing enough to boost the economy, ahead of the presidential election.
Contact Mark Szakonyi at mszakonyi@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @szakonyi_joc.
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