1-year anniversary of stimulus package; has is created jobs?

BOSTON (FOX25, myfoxboston) - Happy anniversary to the stimulus package. It’s been a year since President Obama signed the Recovery Act. He says it worked, but critics say the high unemployment rate proves otherwise.

“It's making a difference and it comes at just the right time,” said Gov. Deval Patrick.

And that time happens to be election time for the governor, and suddenly vulnerable democratic lawmakers are eager to join the governor in marking the year passing of the billion dollar stimulus package. But it's an anniversary not everyone is happy with.

“It's only, in political speak, double speak. You can lose jobs and say you've created jobs,” said newly elected Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown.

Brown is reacting to claims by Lt. Gov. Tim Murray that he was flat out wrong to say the stimulus package didn’t create one new job.

But Brown says he stands by that remark.

“He's running for reelection. He’s the mouthpiece for the governor and president in many respects,” Brown said of Murray.

Brown told FOX25's Maria Stephanos that the state has lost 53,000 net jobs since the stimulus was passed.

Patrick says there have been thousands of jobs created by the stimulus.

“I had a conversation with the new senator himself and told him we met every deadline and ranked in the top ten of getting money out,” said Patrick.

Have you noticed a change in the job market since the stimulus was signed a year ago? Comment below.