(MYSTIC) - Rob Simmons, candidate for US Senate, made the following statement on the one year anniversary of the Democrats' stimulus bill:

"One year since Democrats passed the largest spending bill in American history, our economy has lost 4 million jobs, wasted billions of dollars and passed a mountain of debt on our children and grandchildren. Far from the 41,000 jobs the Democrats said the stimulus would create in Connecticut, our state has lost over 43,000 jobs and the state unemployment rate has risen 20%.

"This bill was a failure because it focused on growing government, not small businesses and the private sector through tax incentives. Rather than continue this wasteful spending, we must use unspent stimulus funds to pay down our debt and pass pro-growth tax cuts aimed at helping small businesses create jobs. My Plan for Prosperity is a roadmap for how America can move beyond these difficult economic times, and into a new era of economic growth and job creation."

FACTS

One Year Ago, The President Signed The Democrats'  Stimulus Bill, "The Largest Spending Bill In History."  "Congress passed the gigantic, $787 billion 'stimulus' bill in February - the largest spending bill in history - after having had only 13 hours to master its 1,100 pages." (Jeff Jacoby, "Lawmakers, Read The Bills Before You Vote,"The Boston Globe, 7/12/09)

When President Obama Signed The Stimulus Bill Into Law, The White House Released A Report Saying Connecticut Would See 41,000 New Jobs. (The White House, "American Recovery And Reinvestment Act: Job Impact By Congressional District," www.whitehouse.gov, 2/17/09)

Since Then, Connecticut Has Lost 43,600 Jobs. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics,www.bls.gov, Accessed 2/17/09)

And The Unemployment Rate Has Risen 20% From 7.4% To 8.9%. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, Accessed 2/17/09)