WASHINGTON, March 12 (UPI) -- Representatives from all states but Idaho attended a White House workshop Thursday on what they can -- and can't -- do with the stimulus money.
"This is not your usual federal grant going to states," Vice President Joe Biden said in his opening remarks. "And I want to be blunt with you: The fact of the matter is all that is legal is not acceptable. Let me say it again. Just because it may be legal, it is not acceptable -- some of it."
President Barack Obama echoed Biden's sentiments when he spoke to state and local money managers.
"If we see money being misspent, we will put a stop to it," he said.
If funds from the $787 billion economic stimulus package are spent wisely, he continued, state and local governments will benefit and "our constituents will be grateful."
Previewing regulations on how the stimulus money can be spent -- scheduled to be announced Friday by Obama -- Biden said, "No swimming pools in this money."
"Let me point out one other thing," Biden said. "If we don't get this right, folks, this is the end of the opportunity to convince the Congress that anything should go to the states."
