President Obama has said projects to be funded through the stimulus package must be shovel ready.  Some projects submitted by cities for funding should just get the shovel.

In a Wall Street Journal report this morning, cities across the county are trying to get a share of federal tax dollars for projects in their communities they claim will stimulate the economy and create jobs.  The U.S. Conference of Mayors has submitted a wish list for 18,750 projects.  Here are a few they apparently think are a good use of taxpayers? money:

  • $4.5 million for an ?eco park? with butterfly gardens and safe havens for gopher tortoises
  • $2 million for neon signs in Las Vegas
  • $500,000 for a dog park with shading and fountains
  • $3 million for an environmentally friendly clubhouse for a municipal golf course
  • $6 million for three aquatic centers with water slides
  • Eight Harley Davidson motorcycles for cops because ?Harley-Davidson is great American company”
  • About a dozen golf course related projects.  (They must not have seen Sanera’s spotlights explaining how cities have no business being in the golf course business here, here, here and here.)
  • $1.1 million for park additions including a skateboard ramp and two splash parks
  • $886,000 for a 36 hole Frisbee golf course
  • $3.75 million for urban tree canopy protection
  • $1.8 million for tennis courts

Roy explained how the stimulus package is just bad economics here.  
As the details of the package unfold, it’s also just insulting.