ProPublica

Journalism in the Public Interest

Cancel

Eye on the Stimulus

PR Firm Behind Propaganda Videos Wins Stimulus Contract

Syndicated columnist Armstrong Williams, pictured right, received $240,000 in taxpayer funds to promote the No Child Left Behind bill through a Ketchum Inc. initiative.President Obama’s push for electronic medical records has faced resistance from those who question whether health information technology systems can protect patient privacy.

So last week, the U.S Department of Health and Human Services hired a public relations firm to try to win consumer trust.

The irony? The firm chosen for the job — Ketchum Inc. — was hip-deep in controversy a few years ago for producing a series of fake TV news stories that violated a federal ban on propaganda. The company also drew fire for channeling taxpayer funds to a conservative pundit to promote the Bush administration’s education policies.

Stimulus Spending Update: $324 Billion of Recovery Act Funds Spent

 The Obama administration has spent close to $324 billion in stimulus funds, according to numbers from Recovery.gov. The latest total includes $205 billion in spending and $119 billion in tax cuts. Overall, just over 40 percent of the about $800 billion stimulus package has entered the economy.

You can track stimulus spending by agency on our interactive Stimulus Progress Bar. You can also see how fast that money is moving out the door, by checking out our Stimulus Speed Chart.

The Stimulus ‘Loser’ List Loses Some Members

Earl Devaney, Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board Chairman Update (3/25/2010): The Recovery Board has corrected their list of stimulus recipients who have failed to file any quarterly reports. The list is here.

More than 60 stimulus recipients can take heart that they’re not "losers" after all.

The panel charged with watchdogging the federal stimulus program confirms that dozens of recipients wrongly appeared on a list of "two-time losers" for failing to file reports on their funds.

The Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board’s list, posted on Recovery.gov earlier this month, included 389 awards to contractors and grantees ranging from rural health clinics to county governments. The list was based on information that was provided by the White House Office of Management and Budget and certified as accurate by federal agencies that awarded the funds.

$321 Billion in Stimulus Funding is Out the Door

 Stimulus spending by the Obama administration has reached roughly $321 billion, according to the latest numbers from Recovery.gov. That number includes $202 billion in spending and an estimated $119 billion in tax cuts. Overall, slightly more than 40 percent of the nearly $800 billion stimulus package has entered the economy.

You can track stimulus spending by agency on our interactive Stimulus Progress Bar. You can also see how fast that money is moving out the door by checking out our Stimulus Speed Chart.

New Investigations of Stimulus Waste, Fraud and Abuse

A former public official sent to prison for corruption is now getting stimulus money for a Louisiana sidewalk project. A newspaper investigation uncovers shoddy work in Ohio’s weatherization program . And the government’s housing watchdog raises questions about a Pittsburgh nonprofit’s application for lead paint removal.

These are among the cases we’ve added to our stimulus investigations chart.

The chart, which we’re updating regularly, tracks inspector general reports, auditor investigations and news accounts about questionable contractors. If you have new information about a case or know one we should add, e-mail it to suggestions@propublica.org.

Track the Stimulus: Interactive Tools

Recovery Tracker
Find stimulus projects happening near you. (Updated: March 2010)
Want CSVs of our stimulus data? Fill out this signup form.

Stimulus Speed Chart
Which government agencies are the slowest at getting stimulus money out the door? Updated weekly.

Stimulus Spending Progress
How quickly are federal agencies spending? Updated weekly.

ProPublica’s Unofficial Guide to Recovery.gov
Confused by the government's official stimulus data Web site? Our guide will tell you how to navigate it.

How to Background Check Stimulus Companies
A guide of tips and resources on researching the background of companies getting stimulus funds.

Resources
Photo by flickr user sparkieblues http://www.flickr.com/photos/sparkieblues/3971258497/

Podcast

Latest Episode: In the face of claims that the National Security Agency’s data collection program had prevented terrorist plots, ProPublica’s Sebastian Rotella took a closer look at one of those: David Coleman Headley’s foiled plan to attack a Danish newspaper.

Listen »

Get Updates

Stay on top of what we’re working on by subscribing to our email digest.

optional