Incentives matter: stimulus file

This from the Wall Street Journal. Given the "right" incentives, one level of government will lobby another level of government to get other peoples' money,

Strapped local and state governments are still spending on at least one activity: seeking stimulus money.

Towns, cities, counties and states across the country spent a total of $21.4 million on lobbyists between April and June, up 2.7% from the first quarter of the year and in line with spending levels through 2008, according to data provided by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. Almost 1,000 different governments reported paying representatives to pursue their agenda. About a quarter reported lobbying specifically about the stimulus package.