Stimulation

Those who love political sword fights should keep their eyes on the coming battle over who controls the flood of federal stimulus money soon to be washing ashore here in the Biggest Little State in the Union.
While the state constitution clearly makes the General Assembly the appropriating authority for state spending, this infusion of special federal aid is a unique situation. Gov. Donald L. Carcieri is moving forward under the assumption his office will be doling out stimulus money that does not come with strings attached. He recently established a three-person Office of Economic Recovery and Reinvestment to oversee the distribution.
But legislative leaders do not plan to go quietly into the night. Their position could be summed up thusly: the governor can propose spending, but the system of checks and balances requires legislative oversight.
Stay tuned.