Reports
News Outlets Across the Country Highlight Impact of Recovery Plan on the States
01/28/2009
Today, the House will vote on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, working from priorities shared with President Barack Obama.
A staggering 2.6 million American jobs were lost in the last year of the Bush Administration — the culmination of a failed economic approach — one that also doubled our national debt in eight short years. We need a New Direction.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will:
- create and save 3 to 4 million jobs, rebuilding America, making us more globally competitive and energy independent, and transforming our economy for long-term growth.
- give 95 percent of Americans an immediate tax cut.
- invest quickly into the economy
The Recovery Plan has unprecedented accountability measures built in—providing strong oversight, an historic degree of public transparency, and including no earmarks.
Below are clips from some states highlighting the benefits of the economic recovery package in their states:
ALABAMA
WAAY- ABC Channel 31: Stimulus Package Could Bring Alabama $3 Billion
President Obama's $825 billion stimulus package could possibly give Alabama around $3 billion...
According to a formula posted by The National Conference of State Legislatures on its web site in 2009-10 Alabama would be receiving nearly $390 million for its Medicaid program, almost $700 million for education and $560 million for highways from the proposed stimulus package… [1/27/09]
CALIFORNIA
San Francisco Chronicle: State Could Get $10 Billion Stimulus School Aid
An economic stimulus package working its way through Congress could provide $10 billion in federal relief over the next two years for California's public schools, raising optimism among educators that it might ease cutbacks caused by the state's budget crisis.
The money is part of an $825 billion stimulus package the House of Representatives is expected to vote on today. It contains about $140 billion for schools nationwide…
"This does not solve the fiscal crisis, but it does throw us a lifeline," state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell said Tuesday… [1/28/09]
CONNNECTICUT
Connecticut Post: Stimulus Bill Could Give State $1.8B
The state would likely receive a $1.8 billion boost in federal funding over the next two years under a proposed $825 billion economic stimulus package…
The state's take would include $1.16 billion for infrastructure improvements including highway, bridge, transit and sewer construction; $403 million for education including school renovations, Pell grants, Head Start and employment training; $243 million for Medicaid programs; and $39 million for other programs including the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, elderly nutrition and community block grants… [1/27/09]
MARYLAND
Baltimore Sun: City Schools Might Recoup State Cuts in Federal Funds
Baltimore schools could receive at least $98 million in funding under a federal stimulus package, muting the impact of steep state budget cuts, Gov. Martin O'Malley said yesterday. [1/28/09]
MONTANA
KULR-TV: Stimulus Package Good for Montana Energy
President Obama's stimulus package includes billions set aside for environmental projects. Obama would double America's renewable energy capacity, spending $20 billion dollars on solar and wind power projects.
State energy experts say Montana has laid the ground work for many energy projects that are just waiting for funding. "If there are stimulus funds available we have $15 million dollars worth of projects we can't do with state funds that we could do in the next 2 years," says Kathi Montgomery with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality…[1/27/09]
NEW JERSEY
Press of Atlantic City: Stimulus could give N.J. schools $895M.
New Jersey public school districts could get almost $895 million in additional aid over the next two years under the Democrats' proposed federal stimulus plan.
Estimates developed for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 show the bill would put about $287 million into the state for school construction, focusing on modernization, renovation and repair work that could be done within two years.
The plan also provides about $210 million in additional Title I aid for disadvantaged children, split over two years. These funds could possibly be allocated to expand public preschool, a pet project of Gov. Jon S. Corzine.
The final $398 million would be used to provide additional funds for the education of children with disabilities through the IDEA, or Individuals with Disabilities Education Act… [1/28/09]
SOUTH CAROLINA
The State: Exclusive: S.C. might get $3.2 billion
South Carolina would receive almost $3.2 billion in one-time federal funds under new economic-stimulus figures released Friday by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — including a $905 million payment to wipe out the state budget deficit…[1/24/09]
TENNESSEE
Chattanooga Times Free Press: Tennessee would get $3.8 billion under stimulus package up for vote, analysis says
Tennessee would see an estimated $3.8 billion in 2009 and 2010 under a proposed federal fiscal stimulus package headed to the U.S. House floor Wednesday for a vote, according to an analysis.
The Federal Funds Information for States, a project of the National Governors Association and National Conference of State Legislatures, estimates Tennessee would see $613.2 million in highway construction funds as well as about $701 million in new federal funding for Medicaid over the two-year period.
The funding for Medicaid, known as TennCare in Tennessee, would amount to $338.1 million in 2009 and $363.4 million in 2010, according to the analysis.
The stimulus package also includes an estimated $244.2 million for K-12 construction aimed at rehabilitating school infrastructure. Other elements include $88.2 million for drinking water improvements, $120.8 million for weatherization programs and $64.78 million for state energy programs, according to the analysis… [1/27/09]
VERMONT
Brattleboro Reformer: State leaders laud stimulus package
Gov. James Douglas has joined the Vermont's Washington, D.C., congressional delegation in welcoming the Obama administration's proposal to send up to $1 billion in federal aid to the state.
Vermont could receive the federal stimulus money over a two-year period to help rekindle the lackluster economy, according to Sen. Bernard Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt.…
The money is also projected to help lower property taxes by assisting with Medicaid funding and saving some of the state jobs currently on the chopping block… [1/27/09]
WASHINGTON
Bellingham Herald: State could get $4 billion from federal stimulus package
Washington could get as much as $4 billion to build more highway projects and schools, as well as give more medical assistance to the poor, if Congress approves a proposed $825 billion economic stimulus plan…
Washington is looking at a shortfall of at least $6 billion, one that might grow to $7 billion by the time the Legislature writes its 2009-11 budget in March and April.
But higher-than-expected stimulus payments could ease some of the budget squeeze…[1/27/09]
WEST VIRGINIA
Forbes/AP: W.Va.'s federal stimulus share estimated at $1.4B
West Virginia could get a $1.4 billion slice of the federal stimulus legislation now under debate before Congress, if the latest proposal reaches President Barack Obama… [1/26/09]