Lynn Walsh

A story written for Ohio Watchdog:

Stimulus Jobs Cost More in Democratic Congressional Districts in Ohio
Posted by Lynn Walsh on November 17, 2009
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The average cost to create or retain a job in Ohio with stimulus money is $294,885.07. This is according to the most recent state/territory summary at www.recovery.gov. The site show 28 congressional districts in Ohio that have received stimulus dollars; 10 of those districts do not exist.

Of the 18 congressional districts that do exist in Ohio; 10 are served by Democratic representatives and seven are served by Republican representatives. 83% of the amount of money awarded to Ohio went to Democrat represented districts; 17% went to Republican represented districts.

Total Republican Democrat Districts

According to the last re-districting of Ohio in the year 2000, each of the 18 congressional districts represents a population of 630,730 people. The average cost of the awarded stimulus money per person in a district represented by a Democrat is $366.92; $188.21 for a district represented by a Republican. The average cost per job in a district represented by a Republican is $940,745.24; $1,018,849.92 for a district represented by a Democrat.

Republican Democrat Stiumulus Costs

The 1st and 15th congressional districts were highly-contested races in 2008; the 15th congressional district race was not finalized until December 7, 2008. So far, both of these districts have received the most stimulus money; district 15 has received over $1.3 billion dollars and the 1st district has received close to $1.1 billion. Both of these districts also have the highest average stimulus cost per person in the state; more than $2,000 in district 15 and more than $1,600 in the 1st district.

The 1st district also has the highest average cost per job in the entire state, over $3 million; 50% higher than any other congressional district in Ohio. The 15th congressional district is represented by Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy; Union and Madison Counties are entirely within the district’s boundaries as well as about half of Franklin County. The 1st congressional district of Ohio is represented by Democrat Steve Driehaus; the City of Cincinnati is within the districts boundaries.