Without federal money, Oklahoma's projects are expected to slow to a crawl.
Tulsa World
By JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau
Published: 3/2/2010 2:24 AM
Last Modified: 3/2/2010 3:29 AM
WASHINGTON — A U.S. Senate impasse that threatens to shut down road projects in Oklahoma and other states across the nation and blocks extension of jobless benefits continued Monday as one Republican continued to insist costs of the short-term legislation be offset.
U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., again traded charges with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
Earlier Monday, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced it will furlough nearly 2,000 employees without pay, shutting down reimbursements to states on road projects and other programs.
"As American families are struggling in tough economic times, I am keenly disappointed that political games are putting a stop to important construction projects around the country," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
"This means that construction workers will be sent home from job sites because federal inspectors must be furloughed.''...
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Tue, March 2, 2010
by Crystal Drwenski