Stimulus Confusion Frustrates Business

Uncertainty about the pace of spending from the government's $787 billion stimulus package, and about new regulations, could contribute to a broader slowdown in business spending and hinder a recovery, some executives and lobbyists say. Confusion over how to go after money allocated to various stimulus programs appears to be clouding corporate efforts to plan ahead, which were already complicated by the economic slump. The Obama administration's rules restricting contacts with officials running various elements of the stimulus effort are adding to the frustration for some businesses, and some business advocates are considering challenging the antilobbying rules. Ivan Seidenberg, chairman and chief executive of telecommunications provider Verizon Communications Inc., said in a recent interview that the Obama administration is moving slowly to dispense stimulus funds because there are too many policy makers in Congress, the White House and various agencies with influence over the process. "They have too many Indian chiefs trying to micromanage how the money is spent," he said. The stimulus package included about $19 billion to encourage the use of electronic medical records -- a potential boon for information-technology companies. But an administration spokeswoman says the health-care-technology portion of the stimulus is moving more slowly because of its newness and complexity.