DOT Asked Contractors to Post Signs 'Solely Used to Publicize' Obama's Stimulus Law

(CNSNews.com) – The U.S. Department of Transportation imposed strict guidelines for the placement, size, and visibility of signs promoting the $862-billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), popularly known as the economic stimulus bill, according to a review by DOT’s inspector general released on Thursday.

Some Republican congressman say the signs amount to taxpayer-funded propaganda for the stimulus package.

Two DOT agencies--transit and rail--initially required that stimulus-funded projects post ARRA signs, but now the DOT “strongly encourages” the use of such signs, the IG review says. The IG review came in response to questions by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), the ranking Republican on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, about the cost and policies regarding the Recovery Act signs.