Rep. Issa Asks: ‘How Much Are Taxpayers Being Charged for Stimulus Propaganda Signs?’
Ever see a federal construction sign next to a stimulus project on a street, building, or highway?
Ever wonder how much the sign might cost you, the taxpayer?
Would you guess as much as $10,000 per sign?
In the latest symbol of government extravagance and waste, Pajamas Media has discovered that federal construction signs that officially publicize stimulus projects are costing taxpayers as much as $10,000 apiece.
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) is questioning the use of public funds to purchase signs advertising funding from the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act — the “stimulus bill” — at construction sites nationwide.
A $10,000 sign at Dulles International. (Photo: Rachel Jeffries)
Issa is the ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. In a letter to Earl Devaney, chairman of the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, Issa notes that the signs — some of which have cost as much as $10,000 — have been strongly encouraged, or even required, by government agencies. This is leading to the “common perception that taxpayer funds are being wasted on what amounts to political propaganda on behalf of the Obama administration.”
In the letter, Rep. Issa requested Devaney’s office collect information for the Oversight Committee on four topics:
– A complete accounting of all guidance issued by any federal agency to recipients of stimulus funds, including federal, state and local agencies, on the posting of signs, logos, or emblems intended to publicly identify the source or expenditure of stimulus funds;
– Whether any federal agency requires, or has required, stimulus recipients to post signs, logos, or emblems identifying the source or expenditure of stimulus funds and whether such agency had statutory authority to do so;
– If any federal agency has relaxed a requirement that recipients post signs, logos, or emblems identifying the source or expenditure of stimulus funds, with an explanation of the decision to do so;
– An assessment of the total cost to the taxpayers from the posting of signs, logos, or emblems identifying the source or expenditure of stimulus funds.
The amount of money involved could be significant. Rep Issa points to a runway resurfacing project at Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C., as one project with $10,000 signs — an expense that, of course, reduced the money available for the actual resurfacing.
In July 2009, Michelle Breidenbach of the Syracuse paper Post-Standard noted the signs in New York could cost anywhere from $6,000 to $8,000 each to make and install. These were temporary signs which would be thrown away once the projects are completed.
A similar sign in Chicago. Price: approximately $500. (Photo: Caroline Magnuson)
Lee Holmes of the Kansas Department of Transportation said that, depending on the project and the contractor who won the bid, the cost was anywhere from $500 – $750. In Barack Obama’s home state of Illinois, IDOT spokesman Josh Kauffman said the signs run $500 each, installed. Don Howe of the California Department of Transportation told PJM via email that, depending on the size of the sign, in California the cost ranges from $550 to $1,350, not including installation costs, which drive the expense higher. A small sign company in Kansas, Southeast Kansas Sign Company, was contacted by PJM. Owner Frank Lundien was incredulous at the $10,000 figure:
Maybe if it was an internally lighted sign with computer controlled graphics.
According to Recovery.gov, through March 31 of this year the federal government has signed a total of 30,679 contracts, awarded 160,415 grants, and made 1,038 loans — a grand total of 192,132 programs and projects at least partially funded through the Recovery Act. At a conservative estimate of one sign per job (allowing for states that have not given in to pressure for the signs) and a conservative price of $1,000 per sign, this totals more than $190 million — and could easily double that amount.
Rep. Issa forgot to ask one important question. Were the signs mandated to be produced by a company with union workers? That could push the price up easily!
The Fascist FDR had cute little signs everywhere. What would you expect from the Obama? Just wait until the ObamaKare clinic signs go up.
The reason most of the recovery funds haven’t been spent yet is so they can fund this stuff to basically buy more votes. Look we put you to work now vote for us. But after you vote you’re going back to the unemployment office and we’ll do with these funds as we choose.
Mark7thH, that’s the thing though. Unless one is an abject moron (I know, I know), I just don’t see how that will work to impress the “people.” With 10% unemployment, we are either directly affected, or know someone who is. These “we here in Washington are working for YOU” propaganda attempts are fooling less and less people. The Dems have taken the last 1-1/2 years and slit their own throats. There’s no way around it anymore.
As a former owner of a non-union manufacturing company, it is easy to expect these signs to be 18k gold, if a union idiot touched them.
mr. Issa would not have moaned and groaned if those signs were made in CA.
let’s get real
Miriam, you miss the point here.
Each state makes it’s own signs. So California pays somewhere between $550 and $1,950. Kansas $500 to $750. So why then, is the federal government paying $10,000 for a sign?
Moreover, why are we wasting millions of dollars on signs in the first place? These are not creating jobs, as most states have their own sign shops which do this sort of work every day. Issa’s point, and it’s a valid one, is that these signs are merest propaganda, designed to make people think Obama is helping them out.
It’s illegal Miriam and that should appall you if the waste of money doesn’t.
Patrick
Miriam.. Issa could be as corrupt as any socialist or liberal out there… but he is exposing corrupt socialist propoganda that is costing $190 million or more. On the other hand he may not be the least bit liberal in his own spending record. You should check.
I don’t think this type of spending is considered wasteful by socialists AT ALL. It’s just keeping the pump primed for the next piece of their work. And… it never ends.
I wish I had gotten the contract to make those signs. Sheesh, I could have employed some people (part time until the stimulus money ran out). I could have retired on that, I betcha.
I hate those signs. I get mad every time I see one because I know who paid for the stupid things. Democrat campaign billboards. Sheesh. Is it November yet?
Miriam Rove — you are one stupid, brain-dead liberal…. I have read your posts for the last time… why don’t you just shut up and get a passport and permanent visa to Russia, Red China or North Korea. Don’t come back.
Jim Baker is on to something. Propoganda, and that’s what these signs are, especially when it’s blatant in this way, usually just POs folks. I think it’s an American trait that they can spot BS and it gnaws at them, unlike Europeans who just say, “Oh well, that’s just how it is.” These signs will backfire on the O’s administration. Now, before you say it, how come The One’s BS wasn’t spotted? It was but, just a tad late. I know for sure, it’s gnawin’ at ya’ now.
I can see November from my house!
Speaking of wasteful signs . . . check out this humorous cartoon at http://drawfortruth.wordpress.com/2010/06/28/consistently-unacceptable/on the warning signs the Federal government put up in Arizona.
Rep. Issa is one man who is always on the job! Wish we had a lot more like him, it could make a big difference in our country. If this guy ever decides to make a run for the presidency, here’s one vote!
The Chicago Way strikes again.
The first thing I noticed when I moved to Chicago was everything the city did had to have the mayor’s name on it. As political propoganda it isn’t all that effective. Indeed, looking at one termers Bilandic, Byrne and Sawyer it may have helped the voters know who to blame for a city that wasn’t working.
You forgot Washington.
I still luv Jane Byrne–the only politician to get elected because of a snowstorm!
While I may have thought he was a failure, Washington was reelected. Bilandic, Byrne and Sawyer were not.
#8 Lorretta: why do you say this?
Is this going to be the liberal victim’s “your unfairly picking on me” thread, now?
I believe Lorreta is questioning your intellectual acumen,shocking. Are you related to poor citizen?
Reminds me of the $50 hammer and $500 toilet seat scandals back in the day. Seems nothing’s changed.
Thank god! Somebody is right on target. The number of these pointless signs I see just driving around Dayton is unbelieveable. What a boondoggle just to try and make the Obama adminsitration look worthwhile. This is another example of taxpayers being abused by a self-seving President.
Issa anyone really surprised by this? Chicago thugs have taken over Washington, they are making sure their friends are rewarded by the absolutely NECCeSSARY Billion dollar spending packge that our first POST RACIAL POTUS had to put into effect. I’d say he made the most of ‘never let(ting) a good crisis go to waste’. Nothing that is happening now is a surprise, just fills me with sadness and makes me wonder whether we can get our country back.
If you will all remember, the bulk of the stimulus plan was withheld so that it’s funding would be this summer and fall, heading into this years election. The uninformed that don’t read this type of stuff will see Obummer’s plan as a success and continue to buy the drival that the democrats care ab0out the little guy.
I am sorely disgusted y what the repubs did in power and even more disgusted and disheartened by the gang of thieves. I truly fear for our country.
Congressman Issa; Keep up the good work.
The Propaganda president and his never ending campaign. Remember the big propaganda ordeal with the Arts Council or whatever it’s called? The white house actually held conference calls instructing everyone to make all their “art” as propaganda to promote barry’s agenda, and gave them their agenda list to work from. It’s so socialist/communist, (not to even mention their other great trait, the Chicago way). This is the most disgusting and corrupt president in the history of this country. I hope he ends up in prison for life…ASAP! It is downright repulsive.
How long before we see giant portraits of Obama, painted on walls nationwide, ala Chairman Mao and Sadam Hussein.