Aug

Steve Driehaus: Stimulus Saves 65 Police Jobs–But at What Cost?

First, let’s hear from my Democratic Congressman, Steve Driehaus:

Then, let’s look at the area’s unemployment figures (right click to see full size):

Wow, 65 jobs saved in an area with 114,000 people unemployed. And don’t forget, the City of Cincinnati alone is about to lay off 138 police officers….

But here is the kicker. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Federal Government is sending Hamilton County and Cincinnati $16.9 million in funds meant to save the jobs of policemen:

Nearly $17 million in federal stimulus funding will help keep police on the streets in Cincinnati and Hamilton County.

Cincinnati police will get $13.5 million in federal COPS money to keep 50 officers from being laid off as the city wrestles with a budget crisis.

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office received $3.4 million through the same COPS grant program. Sheriff Simon Leis said he will use the money to rehire 15 road patrol deputies that were laid off earlier this year due to county budget cuts. Read more….

So let’s do some math here….