BOSTON. State Democrats yesterday defended progress made through federal stimulus funds while taking shots at Republicans who have railed against the initiative for months.
“When faced with a problem, Democrats responded with a plan of action that they implement effectively,” said Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair John Walsh. “Despite the complaining and carping on the part of Republicans in Washington and Boston, the effort is successful in halting a free fall.”
Lt. Gov. Tim Murray boasted that the Bay State ranks seventh nationally in its spending of awarded funds — Massachusetts has spent 45 percent of $4.4 billion given through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Republican critics have bemoaned delays in the spending and a continued rise in unemployment. The state jobless rate rose to 8.8 percent in July, the highest it has been since 1993.