Experts say stimulus money ill spent

RALEIGH, N.C. - Critics of North Carolina's plan to spend thousands in federal stimulus money to send consultants to a workshop say the funds would be better spent on subsidizing child care for struggling families.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Friday that child development experts say the state's waiting list for subsidized child care has reached a record high of 41,000.

The state's budget for subsidizing child care was slashed by $35 million this year. Sending the consultants to the conference will cost $140,000.

Sixteen lead child care consultants will be sent to San Diego in January and July for intensive training on infant and toddler development. State administrators said the training will lead to better child care.