On the Records: Feds Stimulate Imaginary Districts

The Obama administration’s economic stimulus package has failed to create any jobs in Texas’ 52^nd congressional district, despite pouring nearly $9 million into it.

This would be a problem — if CD-52 existed. There is no CD-52 in Texas. There is similarly no 91^st, 58^th, 85^th, 68^th, or 86^th congressional district.^. And if there is a CD-00, it’s been kept under wraps. 

Yet, according to recovery.gov, the federal government’s site dedicated to tracking the stimulus money, these districts have received over $14.7 million in stimulus funds, creating a total of 98 jobs.

Recovery Board Communications Director Joe Pound chalks it up to human error. “We report what the recipients submit to us," told ABC News. “Some recipients clearly don't know what congressional district they live in, so they appear to be just throwing in any number. We expected all along that recipients would make mistakes on their congressional districts, on jobs numbers, on award amounts, and so on. Human beings make mistakes."

For the record, Texas has 32 districts — at least until the next round of redistricting. So if you have to guess (which you don’t; you can visit the Trib's elected officials directory for help), don’t go with something like 91.

For more information, check out:

$6.4 Billion Stimulus Goes to Phantom Districts — Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity

Federal stimulus Web site says $14.7 million in aid went to Texas Congressional districts that don’t exist – Texas Watchdog