More Populist Rage on the Horizon? Microsoft Gets $11 Million Stimulus Grant to Construct "Bridge to Microsoft"

Well, it was really only a matter of time before fiscal watchdogs began challenging use of stimulus money. The State of Washington's decision to give Microsoft $11 million to build a bridge connecting two its campuses in Redmond has certainly caught the eye of taxpayer groups.

Proponents of the project argue that construction of the bridge will create 400 jobs for over 18 months. They also point out that Microsoft will spend $17.5 million of its own money for the project, and that the bridge would benefit people in the community other than Microsoft employees.

Critics, however, note the Microsoft is a deep-pocket institution and that the company is substituting private money with stimulus funds. Because the project would have been completed without taxpayer support, opponents of the decision to award funds to Microsoft argue that the money should have been used to finance other initiatives.