It was a nice idea. Today the unemployment rate is hovering above 9 percent—better than it would have been without the stimulus, most experts agree, but still painfully high. Why didn’t we get more for our money?
While liberals and conservatives alike blame the stimulus itself—It wasn’t big enough! It was never going to work!—the problem may have more to do with how the money was spent. It’s not enough just to inject money into infrastructure, because not all transportation funding is created equal—or at least, it doesn’t create jobs at an equal rate. As any infrastructure policy wonk can tell you, money spent on fixing up existing systems or building mass transit delivers more jobs, and faster, than building new highways. With their wallets bulging with their federal allowance, the states were allowed to spend $26.6 billion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money however they saw fit.
A new study shows that most states didn’t end up making the most of the windfall. The report by the transportation research group Smart Growth America found that states spent more than a third of the money on building new roads—rather than working on public transportation and fixing up existing roads and bridges. The result of the indiscriminate spending? States missed out on potentially thousands of new jobs—and bridges, roads, and overpasses around the country are still crumbling. Meanwhile, the states that did put dollars toward public transportation were richly rewarded: Each dollar used on transit was 75 percent more effective at putting people to work than a dollar used for highway work.
The government meant to get the biggest bang for its buck, with “shovel-ready projects.” But building miles of new roads requires planning, land acquisition, and other lengthy steps that put fewer workers on the job immediately.
Mandel Ngan / Getty Images
The government, of course, meant to get the biggest bang for its buck. The stimulus bill forced states to spend their allocated cash quickly, which was intended to get them to fund maintenance needs—“shovel-ready projects”—that had already been identified. Building miles of new roads, on the other hand, requires planning, land acquisition, and other lengthy steps that put fewer workers on the job immediately.
Some states did that. Sue Minter, Vermont’s deputy transportation secretary, says a longstanding “fix-it-first” policy for infrastructure and bipartisan collaboration shaped Vermont’s decisions about how to use the funds. The state spent all of its highway money on system maintenance, with a small amount going to mass transit. (Minter, a Democrat, was a member of the state legislature at the time.) “This shot of money into our economy was very, very significant. It’s part of the reason we have a relatively low unemployment rate,” she says. Only 5.8 percent of Vermont residents are out of work, one of the nation’s lowest rates. State research shows that ARRA funding employed 11,000 people—a small number overall, but a significant one in a small state. Minter says the maintenance was important for keeping economic growth, particularly in tourism, strong.
Other states, however, took a different tack. Arkansas used 81 percent of its money for new projects and none on transit; it also has a higher unemployment rate than Vermont. And unlike other states near the bottom of the list, just 38 percent of its roads are in good condition, according to a report by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, a trade organization.
In case you weren’t aware, Microsoft and Google aren’t exactly seeing eye-to-eye right now. In fact, they really seem to hate one another in a public manner not normally exposed. So it should be no surprise that the two are also opposed to one another when it comes to their views of web video. Yes, it’s the H.264 versus WebM debate once again. But while Google, Apple, Mozilla, Opera and others have had their say, Microsoft has remained largely quiet. Until today.
Dean Hachamovitch, the man in charge of Internet Explorer for Microsoft, has taken the time to write a nearly 3,000 word piece about the situation today. It’s a long, great post well worth the read. But just in case you can’t make it through the entire post, I’ll summarize it simply: Microsoft is fully behind H.264 as the codec for web video going forward. Why? Because they have just as many reservations about WebM as Google all of a sudden seems to have about H.264.
I had a chance to speak with Hachamovitch last night about his thoughts on the situation. His take is very clear in that he’s confused by Google’s motives to ditch H.264. Specifically, he notes that at one point not too long ago, Microsoft, Apple, and Google all supported H.264 as a codec for HTML5 video on the web. Yes, believe it or not, Microsoft was actually on the side of many of the main players of the web when it came to a future technology. The one major player not on their side was, of course, Mozilla. But Microsoft was happy to make the plug-in to ensure that they supported H.264 for HTML5 video as well.
“We had a somewhat stable state in web video,” Hachamovitch says. Then something odd happened.
Google decided to pull their support for H.264 as the web video standard. The reason? The patents controlled by the MPEGLA group scared them. Or something. I’ve made my own thoughts pretty clear on this matter. I think that’s a total red herring. Google is pulling support for H.264 as a tactic in their war with Apple.
At first, they touted the maneuver as being all about supporting “open” formats. But if that’s the case, why not pull support for the Flash plug-in baked into every version of Chrome currently? Further, why not pull H.264 support out of the browser included with Android? The answer is because it’s not about open — it’s actually about control.
Worse, by turning their back on H.264, Google is ensuring that Flash will continue to remain the dominant force in web video for years to come. Flash supports H.264, which is great, but the issue here is that we need the HTML5 standard to fully support H.264, and that’s simply not going to happen without Google on board.
Some would say it wouldn’t anyway because of the potential patent issues. But as Microsoft (like many others) points out, it’s still not clear that the new WebM format also isn’t infringing on any patents. Hachamovitch points to the fact that when the JPEG patents were dug into, everyone from shoe sellers to the Green Bay Packers came out of the woodwork claiming ownership of some part.
Further, Microsoft sees no reason why MPEGLA will all of a sudden go hostile for the sake of making money. “It’s counter to their reason for existence,” Hachamovitch says.
Instead, H.264 has proven to be a format with wide adoption both from a hardware and software perspective. And that, fundamentally, is why Microsoft is backing it, and will continue to back it.
At the same time, they recognize why WebM could be a good format for some level of unification. So they’ve developed plug-ins to allowed both Internet Explorer and Firefox to play videos with that codec within Windows. But again, they just don’t see WebM as the ultimate HTML5 video standard. There are simply too many barriers to entry. And too many unanswered questions about patents.
In other words, Microsoft and Apple seem to see eye-to-eye on this level. And I’m right there with them. WebM sounds great on paper — until you actually read the paper. At that point, you quickly realize that it’s a crapshoot at best, and one that will take several years to go anywhere — if it ever does. And it’s one that could ultimately face the same type of patent questions currently surrounding H.264.
So Microsoft, like Apple, is taking the more sure bet. While it appears Google is once again out of touch with reality. Which is really too bad, because web video needs them.
bench craft company scam
Pilot <b>News</b>: Bello Takes on 'Prime Suspect,' A 'Lostie' Returns <b>...</b>
It's casting season in Hollywood and familiar names are being snatched up by studios. Maria Bello will play a famed detective, Christine Lahti will be a doctor (again), Michael Emerson will play a billionaire and James Van Der.
Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 2/17 - Arrowhead Pride
Good morning Chiefs fans. Once more we've gather the latest Kansas City Chiefs news from across the internet (and there wasn't much today). Read on.
Ten American Companies With The Best <b>News</b> For 2011 - 24/7 Wall St.
24/7 Wall St. chose the ten most important pieces of news for major US corporations so far this year. Our evaluation was based on the history of the company and industry involved and the likely long-term effects of the event.
bench craft company sales
Pilot <b>News</b>: Bello Takes on 'Prime Suspect,' A 'Lostie' Returns <b>...</b>
It's casting season in Hollywood and familiar names are being snatched up by studios. Maria Bello will play a famed detective, Christine Lahti will be a doctor (again), Michael Emerson will play a billionaire and James Van Der.
Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 2/17 - Arrowhead Pride
Good morning Chiefs fans. Once more we've gather the latest Kansas City Chiefs news from across the internet (and there wasn't much today). Read on.
Ten American Companies With The Best <b>News</b> For 2011 - 24/7 Wall St.
24/7 Wall St. chose the ten most important pieces of news for major US corporations so far this year. Our evaluation was based on the history of the company and industry involved and the likely long-term effects of the event.
benchcraft company scam
Pilot <b>News</b>: Bello Takes on 'Prime Suspect,' A 'Lostie' Returns <b>...</b>
It's casting season in Hollywood and familiar names are being snatched up by studios. Maria Bello will play a famed detective, Christine Lahti will be a doctor (again), Michael Emerson will play a billionaire and James Van Der.
Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 2/17 - Arrowhead Pride
Good morning Chiefs fans. Once more we've gather the latest Kansas City Chiefs news from across the internet (and there wasn't much today). Read on.
Ten American Companies With The Best <b>News</b> For 2011 - 24/7 Wall St.
24/7 Wall St. chose the ten most important pieces of news for major US corporations so far this year. Our evaluation was based on the history of the company and industry involved and the likely long-term effects of the event.
bench craft company sales
Pilot <b>News</b>: Bello Takes on 'Prime Suspect,' A 'Lostie' Returns <b>...</b>
It's casting season in Hollywood and familiar names are being snatched up by studios. Maria Bello will play a famed detective, Christine Lahti will be a doctor (again), Michael Emerson will play a billionaire and James Van Der.
Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 2/17 - Arrowhead Pride
Good morning Chiefs fans. Once more we've gather the latest Kansas City Chiefs news from across the internet (and there wasn't much today). Read on.
Ten American Companies With The Best <b>News</b> For 2011 - 24/7 Wall St.
24/7 Wall St. chose the ten most important pieces of news for major US corporations so far this year. Our evaluation was based on the history of the company and industry involved and the likely long-term effects of the event.
bench craft company sales
Pilot <b>News</b>: Bello Takes on 'Prime Suspect,' A 'Lostie' Returns <b>...</b>
It's casting season in Hollywood and familiar names are being snatched up by studios. Maria Bello will play a famed detective, Christine Lahti will be a doctor (again), Michael Emerson will play a billionaire and James Van Der.
Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 2/17 - Arrowhead Pride
Good morning Chiefs fans. Once more we've gather the latest Kansas City Chiefs news from across the internet (and there wasn't much today). Read on.
Ten American Companies With The Best <b>News</b> For 2011 - 24/7 Wall St.
24/7 Wall St. chose the ten most important pieces of news for major US corporations so far this year. Our evaluation was based on the history of the company and industry involved and the likely long-term effects of the event.
benchcraft company scam
Pilot <b>News</b>: Bello Takes on 'Prime Suspect,' A 'Lostie' Returns <b>...</b>
It's casting season in Hollywood and familiar names are being snatched up by studios. Maria Bello will play a famed detective, Christine Lahti will be a doctor (again), Michael Emerson will play a billionaire and James Van Der.
Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 2/17 - Arrowhead Pride
Good morning Chiefs fans. Once more we've gather the latest Kansas City Chiefs news from across the internet (and there wasn't much today). Read on.
Ten American Companies With The Best <b>News</b> For 2011 - 24/7 Wall St.
24/7 Wall St. chose the ten most important pieces of news for major US corporations so far this year. Our evaluation was based on the history of the company and industry involved and the likely long-term effects of the event.
bench craft company scam
Pilot <b>News</b>: Bello Takes on 'Prime Suspect,' A 'Lostie' Returns <b>...</b>
It's casting season in Hollywood and familiar names are being snatched up by studios. Maria Bello will play a famed detective, Christine Lahti will be a doctor (again), Michael Emerson will play a billionaire and James Van Der.
Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 2/17 - Arrowhead Pride
Good morning Chiefs fans. Once more we've gather the latest Kansas City Chiefs news from across the internet (and there wasn't much today). Read on.
Ten American Companies With The Best <b>News</b> For 2011 - 24/7 Wall St.
24/7 Wall St. chose the ten most important pieces of news for major US corporations so far this year. Our evaluation was based on the history of the company and industry involved and the likely long-term effects of the event.
bench craft company sales
Pilot <b>News</b>: Bello Takes on 'Prime Suspect,' A 'Lostie' Returns <b>...</b>
It's casting season in Hollywood and familiar names are being snatched up by studios. Maria Bello will play a famed detective, Christine Lahti will be a doctor (again), Michael Emerson will play a billionaire and James Van Der.
Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 2/17 - Arrowhead Pride
Good morning Chiefs fans. Once more we've gather the latest Kansas City Chiefs news from across the internet (and there wasn't much today). Read on.
Ten American Companies With The Best <b>News</b> For 2011 - 24/7 Wall St.
24/7 Wall St. chose the ten most important pieces of news for major US corporations so far this year. Our evaluation was based on the history of the company and industry involved and the likely long-term effects of the event.
bench craft company sales
Pilot <b>News</b>: Bello Takes on 'Prime Suspect,' A 'Lostie' Returns <b>...</b>
It's casting season in Hollywood and familiar names are being snatched up by studios. Maria Bello will play a famed detective, Christine Lahti will be a doctor (again), Michael Emerson will play a billionaire and James Van Der.
Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 2/17 - Arrowhead Pride
Good morning Chiefs fans. Once more we've gather the latest Kansas City Chiefs news from across the internet (and there wasn't much today). Read on.
Ten American Companies With The Best <b>News</b> For 2011 - 24/7 Wall St.
24/7 Wall St. chose the ten most important pieces of news for major US corporations so far this year. Our evaluation was based on the history of the company and industry involved and the likely long-term effects of the event.
No comments:
Post a Comment