This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, March 17, 2009 - The New York Times on Tuesday goes through the claims from various states that they are the first to use the federal stimulus for a "shovel-ready'' project. (A hat tip to Combest for spotlighting the story this morning.)
After much probing, the Times sides with Missouri and that infamous bridge over the Osage River that got CNN's attention and featured a riled-up St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay (who said last week that his comments had not been about the bridge, and had been misused by CNN).
Meanwhile, the Capitol Hill publication "Roll Call'' has come out with its ranking of who's got influence, and who doesn't.
Missouri came in at No. 18, down three from its old slot at No. 15. And Illinois -- home state of the new president -- came in at No. 10, down one from last year's No. 9.
No info on why the drop from both states.
No. 1 remains "Ahnold's" California.
