WASHINGTON, Feb 20 (KUNA) — US President Barack Obama told the nations mayors on Friday that help is arriving from the massive USD 787 billion economic stimulus plan, but warned he will “call them out” on wasteful spending.
“We have asked for the unprecedented trust of the American people to deal boldly with the greatest economic crisis we have seen in decades. With that comes an unprecedented obligation to do so wisely, free from politics and personal agendas, and on this I will not compromise or tolerate any shortcut,” Obama told a gathering of 85 mayors at the White House.
He said Friday that legislation will allow the country “to watch the taxpayers’ money with more rigor and transparency than ever”.
“If a federal agency proposes a project that will waste that money, I will not hesitate to call them out on it, and put a stop to it,” warned Obama, adding: “But I want everyone here to be on notice that if a local government does the same … I will call them out on it as well, and use the full power of my office and our administration to stop it”.
The USD 787-billion economic plan passed by Congress and signed by Obama late Thursday night is intended to inject a boost of cash into the nations infrastructure, education, energy and health care, in an effort to resuscitate the weakened economy and boost job growth.
To lift the country out of recession, the Obama said, there must be a true partnership between mayors “on the front lines” and the White House.
On Monday, Obama plans to speak to the nation’s governors, who are in Washington over the weekend for their annual meeting.