Mario Diaz-Balart and John Mica have joined the chorus of Republican critics panning the Obama administration's stimulus plan as – in the words of Diaz-Balart — "a dismal failure." At a press conference Friday, Diaz-Balart noted the unemployment rate has continued to climb and Mica, the top Republican on the House Transportation Committee, says only 1 percent of the transportation dollars have been spent.
"Americans have realized that the promises made with the passage of the so-called stimulus were in fact just empty promises," Diaz-Balart said.
But Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood disputed the assertions Monday and noted he's not heard such criticism from Gov. Charlie Crist – the rare GOP governor who enthusiastically embraced the stimulus plan.
"I think if you talk to Gov. Crist, he would tell you that there's a lot of money flowing into Florida," said LaHood, a former Republican congressman. "I've not heard one complaint from Gov. Crist about this," he said, smiling broadly.
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