A measure banning signs that tout federal stimulus spending along Ohio's roadways cleared the Republican-led Ohio Senate and is expected to pass the House, also controlled by the GOP. AP
A measure banning signs that tout federal stimulus spending along Ohio's roadways cleared the Republican-led Ohio Senate and is expected to pass the House, also controlled by the GOP. State Sen. Tim Grendell, R-Ohio, calls it a waste of taxpayer dollars.
Ohio's Department of Transportation says that criticism misses the point -- that this is all about transparency.
According to CNN, Scott Varner, a spokesperson for the department said, "the president made a commitment to have these symbols of stimulus projects; we think it's important. What better way to let the taxpayer know where stimulus money is being spent?"
Ohio was given nearly $1 billion of stimulus money for roadwork. The money used for the signs is only about one-tenth of 1 percent of that money.