MADISON, Wis. (WTAQ) - Wisconsin had a 50 percent increase in federal funds last year, because of the stimulus program. And the Census Bureau said the Wisconsin increase was much higher than the national spending hike of 16 percent.
The Badger State received the 21st highest amount of federal funds per person in 2009. The total was $21 billion – and that does not include the $810 million for the controversial high-speed train from Milwaukee to Madison.
Normally, the state ranks near the bottom in federal funds per capita, because of our lack of defense bases and federal headquarters. But Wausau House Democrat Dave Obey, one of the major authors of the stimulus bill, said the state had a much bigger return for its tax dollars last year.
Governor Jim Doyle’s office said it was much more aggressive in seeking federal funds not only through the stimulus program – but for university research grants and federal contracts for military suppliers like the Oshkosh Corporation.
Also, the governor’s office said the new hospital tax brought in a large increase in federal Medicaid funds. But House Republican Paul Ryan of Janesville says there’s nothing to cheer about. He said the stimulus raised each Wisconsin resident’s share of the national debt by $43,000, and – “The borrowing binge continues with job-killing tax hikes looming.”
