In the 2/13/09 episode of NOW, David Brancaccio discusses some of the problems of the latest stimulus package in relation to mass transit particularly. Much of the show focuses on Charlotte's light rail system. It addresses the fact that federal spending in states is usually based on what the state spends money on and states usually spend on highways while cities are left to maintain mass transit, so the lion's share of federal transportation money is going to highways instead of mass transit.

"Mass transit. Cities and states, strapped for money, are cutting back on mass transit even as it becomes more popular with Americans. Meanwhile, President Obama is calling for increased mass transit as a necessary step toward energy independence."

Ironically, Obama's focus on "shovel ready" projects is that his stimulus bill actually empowers the old Bush administrations agendas.
NOW story with video here