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PR Firm Behind Propaganda Videos Wins Stimulus Contract
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
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.
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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.
- Recovery.gov
The government’s stimulus transparency page - Investments by State
Recovery.gov's list of how much each state is getting, in total and for each program - Investments by Agency
Recovery.gov's list of how much each agency has available and paid out - Projects by State
An interactive map of projects by state and by county, including their estimated value - Policy Debates by State
Primers on stimulus debates in each state - Conference of Mayors
A run-down of stimulus programs, news, and developments in U.S. cities - Stateline
News and information from the Pew Center on the States - CNN Stimulus Project
A weeklong special with stories, video and graphics from January 2010 - Business Exchange (U.S. Economic Stimulus)
Stimulus news and resources from BusinessWeek - Education Week (Politics K-12)
Breakdowns and analysis of education funding - Read the Stimulus
Searchable index of different versions of the bill - The New York Times (Economic Stimulus)
The Times’ latest stimulus coverage - Sunshine.GOP.gov
A breakdown of stimulus contracts from the House Republican Conference
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