American Forum Commentary

The stimulus package provides a long-overdue chance to make a down payment on a more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable Ohio. Smart targeting and good oversight will ensure that the stimulus funds do the most to revitalize our communities.

It is essential that we track the spending so that we can expand what is working well, redirect what isn’t working, and measure results. Federal transparency will be strong, and Ohio should follow suit.

Efficiency and accountability demand that Ohio allocate spending to meet specific goals such as creating and saving jobs, using a competitive process in awarding contracts and coordinating spending among state and local agencies to ensure efficiency.

The Recovery Act gives Ohio a chance to put more than 100,000 Ohioans back to work. As Ohio emerges from this difficult economic period, we will be here to support the state in its recovery efforts and to track the role that these investments play in fixing our economy in the areas where it is needed most.