Cochran, Wicker help stall $900B stimulus plan

The Clarion-Ledger, 2/5/9

Mississippi’s Republican senators have helped stall a $900 billion stimulus plan promoted by Democrats and the White House.

Sens. Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker reject the plan for spending hundreds of billions on public works and construction projects as well as increase funding for Medicaid – the government health plan for the poor – and other programs.

Though passage would mean millions for Mississippi, “(the bill is) an invitation to help states go into a spending spree,” Wicker said.

The stimulus bill also contains billions in tax breaks for individuals and businesses.