State and Federal Agencies

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will provide $787 billion in economic investment nationally. The goals of this plan are to jump start the economy and create jobs for Americans in an accountable, transparent manner.

 
 

 

Implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

State Agency Resources

California Energy Commission

The California Energy Commission is expected to receive about $295 million for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. The Energy Commission's two main areas of responsibility will be the State Energy Program and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program.

Department of Community Services and Development

Since President Lyndon Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Bill of 1964, the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) has been a part of the nation’s “War on Poverty.”  Each year, CSD serves more than 2 million low income Californians, delivering programs and services that improve the lives of low-income Californians and help them achieve self-sufficiency.  CSD receives its primary funding from the federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and the U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program (DOE WAP).  Both the CSBG and the DOE WAP programs have received significant new funding under the Recovery Act, and CSD will play the principal role in California to ensure that the goals of the new funding are not only met, but maximized.

California Department of Transportation

California is expected to receive approximately $2.57 billion for highways, local streets and roads, freight and passenger rail, and port infrastructure projects from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. On March 11, 2009, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated nearly $565 million of Recovery Act funding for projects in the State Highway Operations and Protection Program (SHOPP), including work on both rural and urban highways.  These projects (paving, fixing potholes, safety, bridge preservation) receive funding first because protecting public safety is the highest priority and preserving the state’s investment in its highway system is highly cost-effective.  The CTC has also allocated $60 million for pavement preservation projects. 

Federal Resources

Recovery.gov – Federal recovery website.

Grants.gov — Find and apply for federal government grants.

FedBizOpps.gov — Find vendors or bid for contracts for federal government procurement opportunities.

Department of Agriculture
$28 Billion (3.5%) of the package was appropriated to USDA

  • The Act allows up to 3 percent of the funds provided to RD for administrative costs (approximately $130.8 million).
  • Broadband loan budget authority and loan levels to be determined by the agency.
  • Mandatory funding; reflects Congressional Budget Office scoring.
  • Provides $90 million annually through December 31, 2010 and $22.5 million for the first quarter of FY 2011.

Department of Commerce
The U.S. Department of Commerce will receive $7.9 billion to create and save jobs for American workers.  The Department of Commerce is implementing the Recovery Act through programs within these bureaus:

U.S Census Bureau

Economic Development Administration (EDA)

National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) 
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides a total of $610 million in funding to NIST. The funding includes:

  • $220 million for NIST laboratory research, measurements, and other services supporting economic growth and U.S. innovation through funding of such items as competitive grants; research fellowships; and advanced measurement equipment and supplies.
  • $360 million to address NIST’s backlog of maintenance and renovation projects and for construction of new facilities and laboratories, including $180 million for a competitive construction grant program for funding research science buildings outside of NIST.
  • $20 million in funds transferred from the Department of Health and Human Services for standards-related research that supports the security and interoperability of electronic medical records.
  • $10 million in funds transferred from the Department of Energy to help develop a comprehensive framework for a nationwide, fully interoperable smart grid for the U.S. electric power system.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
The Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will receive $830 million in funds as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as follows:

  • $230 million for habitat restoration, navigation projects, vessel maintenance, and other activities.
  • $430 million will be dedicated for construction and repair of NOAA facilities, ships and equipment, improvements for weather forecasting and satellite development.
  • $170 million will also be directed for climate modeling activities, including supercomputing procurement and research into climate change.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
The American Recovery and Re-investment Act provides for the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program as follows:

  • $4.7 billion to establish a BTOP grant program for awards to eligible entities to develop and expand broadband services to rural and underserved areas and improve access to broadband by public safety agencies, of which $250 million will be available for innovative programs that encourage sustainable adoption of broadband services, and at least $200 million to upgrade technology and capacity at public computing centers including community colleges and public libraries.
  • Additionally, up to $350 million is designated for the development and maintenance of statewide broadband inventory maps.

Department of the Interior
$3 billion in funding has been allocated for the Department of the Interior in the American Recovery and Re-investment Act as follows:

  • $1 billion to the Bureau of Reclamation, which provides water supplies and produces hydropower in the West.
  • $750 million will be used by the National Park Service to preserve and protect national icons and historic landscapes, improve energy efficiency and renewable energy use at park units. throughout the nation, remediate abandoned mines sites on park units, and provide historic preservation funding to protect and restore buildings at historically black colleges.
  • $500 million for the Bureau of Indian Affairs will be used to replace and upgrade Indian schools that will benefit the 47,000 Indian children that are educated in these schools.
  • $280 million for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will improve energy efficiency and renewable use at refuges, resulting in the "greening" of facilities throughout the nation.
  • $140 million will be used by the U.S. Geological Survey to restore and rehabilitate laboratories and research facilities and improve their energy efficiency and renewable use. Funds will help modernize streamgages that are critical for monitoring streamflow and providing information that is used extensively by water managers and the public.
  • $320 million for the Bureau of Land Management will be used to remediate abandoned mines, which will allow increased access to public lands.

Department of Labor

  • Workforce Investment Act (WIA) programs: Provides $3,950,000,000 for WIA programs, including:
    • Adult Employment and Training Activities: $500,000,000 is provided.  Priority use of funds is for services to public assistance recipients and other low income individuals.  More information available online at:  www.doleta.gov/programs/general_info.cfm.
    • Youth Activities, including summer jobs for youth: $1,200,000,000 is provided. Particular emphasis is placed on creating summer employment opportunities for youth, but year-round youth activities are also envisioned. Age eligibility for youth services with these funds is raised from 21 to 24.  More information available online at: www.doleta.gov/youth_services/
    • Dislocated Worker Employment and Training Activities: $1,250,000,000 is provided for formula funded programs. Dislocated An additional $200,000,000 is provided for National Emergency Grants to respond to plant closings, mass layoffs and other worker dislocations.  More information available online at:   http://www.doleta.gov/programs/ETA_default.cfm%5EQ%5E@Dislocated
    • Program of Competitive Grants for Worker Training and Placement in High Growth and Emerging Industry Sectors: $750,000,000 is provided for a program of competitive grants for worker training and placement in high growth and emerging industry sectors.   
    • YouthBuild Activities: $50,000,000 is provided.  More information available online at:  http://www.doleta.gov/youth_services/
  • Community Service Employment for Older Americans: $120,000,000 is provided for part-time employment opportunities for low income seniors.  More information available online at:  http://www.doleta.gov/seniors/
  • Employment Service Grants to States: $400,000,000 is provided for Employment Service grants to States.  Of this total, $250,000,000 is to be used for reemployment services to connect unemployment insurance claimants to employment and training opportunities that will facilitate their reentry into employment.  More information available online at:  http://www.doleta.gov/programs/Wagner_Peyser.cfm
  • Unemployment Insurance (UI) – File a claim for Unemployment Insurance in California online http://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/Filing_a_Claim.htm
     
    For more information about Unemployment Insurance in California - http://www.edd.ca.gov
    • EUC Extension: The Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 2008 (EUC) which would have expired on March 31, 2009 is extended through December 31, 2009. 
    • Increased UI Benefits: Benefit payments are increased by $25 per week through December 31, 2009 for individuals receiving Trade Readjustment Allowances, Disaster Unemployment Benefits, regular Unemployment Compensation, Extended Benefits, or EUC
    • Special Transfers for Unemployment Compensation Modernization: Up to $7 billion is transferred from the Federal Unemployment Account to the state accounts as “incentive payments” to encourage states to enact specific reforms, such as coverage of part-time workers. Incentive payments expire October 1, 2011
    • Increased UI Administrative Funding: An additional $500,000,000 is provided to states to administer their UI programs
    • Temporary Suspension of Taxation of Unemployment Benefits: Federal income tax on the first $2,400 of unemployment benefits is suspended for 2009
    • Full Federal Funding of Unemployment Compensation for a Limited Period: Extended Benefits would be 100% federally financed through January 1, 2010
    • Temporary Assistance for States with UI Funding Advances: Interest payments and accrual of interest on loans received by State unemployment trust funds are waived through December 31, 2010
  • Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC): A new targeted group is created for WOTC, which provides a tax credit to employers who hire members of targeted groups. The new group is unemployed veterans and disconnected youth who begin work in 2009 and 2010. The credit applies to individuals who begin work for the employer after December 31, 2008.  More information available online at:  http://www.doleta.gov/business/incentives/opptax/
  • Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA): All TAA programs are reauthorized through Dec. 31, 2010. Current Trade Adjustment Assistance is expanded to trade-affected services sector workers and workers affected by offshoring or outsourcing to all countries, including China or India. Training funds available to states are increased by 160%, to $575 million a year, and a new TAA program is created for trade-affected communities. In addition, the reauthorization allows for automatic TAA eligibility for workers suffering from import surges and subject to unfair trade determinations, makes training, healthcare and re-employment TAA benefits more accessible and flexible, and enhances benefits in the TAA for Firms and TAA for Farmers programs.  More information available online at: http://www.doleta.gov/tradeact/taa/WhoWeServe.cfm
  • COBRA Continuation Coverage: Provides funding for a 65% reduction in COBRA premiums for eligible individuals.  More information available online at:  http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/cobra.html

US Department of State
The overall funding level for State Department Operations in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is $602 million. The funding includes:

  • Diplomatic & Consular Programs (D&CP)($90 million): Conference report language references the Diplomatic Security training facility, Consular Affairs passport facilities, and training facilities, but no specific funding levels are provided for individual projects in this account.
  • D&CP/Capital Investment Fund (CIF): $290 million is provided for the CIF, of which "up to $38 million shall be transferred, and merged with, funds" for USAID for immediate information technology investments.
  • Office of Inspector General (OIG): $2 million is provided to OIG for oversight requirements.
  • International Commissions/International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) Construction: $220 million is provided for the U.S. Section of IBWC for repair and rehabilitation of deficient infrastructure along 506 miles of flood control levees. Note: The U.S. Section of the IBWC is a quasi-independent federal agency, operating under the foreign policy guidance of and funded through the Department of State.

Social Security Administration

  • Replacing the National Computer Center.
  • Dedicating additional resources to the processing of disability and retirement workloads.
  • Issuing a one-time payment of $250 to nearly 55 million Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries.  More information online at:  http://ssa.gov/payment/

Department of Veteran Affairs
The Department of Veteran Affairs has no posted information on monies allotted through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

National Science Foundation

  • $3 billion to enable U.S. investment in America's scientific enterprise.
    Funding opportunities:  FastLane  
                                      Research.gov

 National Endowment of the Arts

  • $50 million to be distributed in direct grants to fund arts projects and activities which preserve jobs in the non-profit arts sector.  Applications for this grant are due by April 2, 2009.  More information online at:  http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/recovery/index.html

Environmental Protection Agency
The Recovery Act specifically includes $7.22 billion for projects and programs administered by EPA. These programs will protect and promote both “green” jobs and a healthier environment. These environmental areas include:

  • Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund: $4 billion for assistance to help communities with water quality and wastewater infrastructure needs and $2 billion for drinking water infrastructure needs. A portion of the funding will be targeted toward green infrastructure, water and energy efficiency, and environmentally innovative projects.  More information online at:  http://www.epa.gov/recovery/plans.html
  • Brownfields: $100 million for competitive grants to evaluate and clean up former industrial and commercial sites.
  • Diesel Emissions Reduction: $300 million for grants and loans to help regional, state and local governments, tribal agencies, and non-profit organizations with projects that reduce diesel emissions.  More information online at:  http://www.epa.gov/recovery/plans.html
  • Superfund Hazardous Waste Cleanup: $600 million for the cleanup of hazardous sites.
  • Leaking Underground Storage Tanks: $200 million for cleanup of petroleum leaks from underground storage tanks.

Department of Transportation

Office of the Secretary of Transportation

  • The Act provides $1.5 billion for competitive grants to states, local governments, and transit agencies for projects across all surface transportation modes that will have a significant national, metropolitan, or regional impact. 

Federal Aviation Administration

  • The Act provides a total of $1.3 billion: $1.1 billion in discretionary grants-in-aid to airports, and $200 million in supplemental funding for FAA facilities and equipment.

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

  • The Act provides $27.5 billion for highway and bridge infrastructure investment.

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

  • The Act provides $8 billion in discretionary grants to the states for high-speed rail corridor, intercity passenger rail service, and congestion mitigation projects.

Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

  • The Act provides $6.9 billion total in grants, including $5.5 billion using the Urbanized Area Formula Grants program, $690 million using the Other Than Urbanized Areas program (with a 2.5% set-aside for Indian reservations), and $690 million using the Growing States and High Density formula.

Department of Homeland Security 

St. Elizabeths/DHS Headquarters Consolidation

  • $650 million ($200 million to DHS; $450 million to GSA).

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

  • $720 million for construction at land ports of entry ($300 million GSA; $420 million CBP).
  • $100 million for Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technology.
  • $100 million for border technology on the southwest border.
  • $60 million for tactical communications equipment and radios.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

  • $20 million for ICE automation modernization and tactical communications.

Transportation Security Administration

  • $1 billion for explosives detection systems and checkpoint screening equipment.

U.S. Coast Guard

  • $142 million for Alteration of Bridges program.
  • $98 million for construction, which may include the following:
    • Shore facilities and aids to navigation facilities.
    • Vessel repair/acquisition (includes High Endurance Cutter, National Security Cutter).

Federal Emergency Management Agency

  • $100 million for Emergency Food and Shelter Program.
  • $150 million for transit and rail security grants.
  • $150 million for port security grants, no non-federal match required.
  • $210 million for Assistance to Firefighter (AFG) grants for firehouse construction; maximum grant is $15.0M.
  • $5 million expansion in authority for FEMA Community Disaster Loans.
  • Requires the establishment of an arbitration panel to resolve Katrina/Rita public assistance disputes.
  • Requires FEMA to accept additional applications for Katrina/Rita public assistance.
  • All non-federal matching requirements for SAFER grants waived for FY 2009-2010.

DHS Office of Inspector General

  • $5 million to conduct related oversight and audits.

Small Business Administration
The bill provides $730 million to SBA and makes changes to the agency’s lending and investment programs so that they can reach more small businesses that need help.  The funding includes:

  • $375 million for temporary fee reductions or eliminations on SBA loans and increased SBA guaranteed shares, up to 90 percent for certain loans
  • $255 million for a new loan program to help small businesses meet existing debt payments
  • $30 million for expanding SBA’s Microloan program, enough to finance up to $50 million in new lending and $24 million in technical assistance grants to microlenders
  • $20 million for technology systems to streamline SBA’s lending and oversight processes
  • $15 million for expanding SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee program
  • $25 million for staffing up to meet demands for new programs
  • $10 million for the Office of Inspector General

 

SBA Financial Assistance 
SBA provides a number of financial assistance programs for small businesses including
7(a), 504 and disaster assistance loans.  Learn More. 

SBA Contracting Opportunities
Selling to the Federal Government can provide significant revenues for your business—and the process is not as complicated as you may think. Learn More.  

Small Business Planning 
Learn how to create a small business plan that will work for you. Learn More. 

FREE Online Business Courses 
SBA provides over 25 self-paced, online business courses covering a variety of topics including: business planning, loan packaging and marketing.  Learn More.

SBA Publications Library 
SBA's resource library provides an abundance of information to assist you in many different areas of running your business. Learn More. 

SBA District Offices 
Locate an SBA office in your area. Learn More. 

 

Department of Health and Human Services
Some $59 billion of Recovery Act funds are being invested in improving health and human services.  These investments include:

  • Scientific Research & Facilities: Support for the construction of new research and educational facilities as well as groundbreaking scientific research that will improve the health of the nation.
  • Community Services and Early Childhood Care and Education Programs: Critical funding for programs such as community services infrastructure, meals for the elderly and persons with disabilities, Head Start, and subsidized child care to support children and families through the lifecycle.
  • Community Health: Support for the renovation and improvement of community health centers and other programs that serve patients in communities across the country.
  • Health IT: Funding to modernize the health care system by catalyzing the adoption of health information technology by 2014. Achieving this goal will reduce health costs for the federal government by over $12 billion over 10 years.

 

Below are HHS Recovery funds currently released:

Open Grants:

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NASA has been allotted $1 billion of Recovery Act funds as follows:

  • Cross-Agency Support: $50,000,000
    • To restore NASA-owned facilities damaged from hurricanes and other natural disasters occurring during calendar year 2008
  • Inspector General: $2,000,000
  • Science: $400,000,000
    • To accelerate the development of the Tier 1 set of Earth Science climate research missions recommended by the National Academies
  • Decadal Survey
    • To increase the agency's supercomputing capabilities
  • Exploration: $400,000,000
  • Aeronautics: $150,000,000
    • To undertake systems-level research, development and demonstration activities related to:
      •  Aviation safety
      • Environmental impact mitigation
      • Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen)

Department of Housing and Urban Development

The Recovery Act includes $13.61 billion for projects and programs administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, nearly 75 percent of which was allocated to state and local recipients.

  • Public Housing Capital Fund: $4 billion invested in energy efficient modernization and renovation of our nation's critical public housing inventory.
  • Native American Housing Block Grants: $510 million invested in energy efficient modernization and renovation of housing maintained by Native American housing programs, and the development of sustainable communities.
  • Assisted Housing Energy Retrofit: $250 million invested in energy efficient modernization and renovation of housing of HUD-sponsored housing for low-income, elderly, and disabled persons.
  • Lead Hazard Reduction: $100 million invested in lead based paint hazard reduction and abatement activities.
  • Tax Credit Assistance Program: $2.25 billion invested in a special allocation of HOME funds to accelerate the production and preservation of tens of thousands of units of affordable housing
  • Community Development Block Grants: $1 billion for approximately 1,200 state and local governments to invest in their own community development priorities. Most local governments use this investment to rehabilitate affordable housing and improve key public facilities – stabilizing communities and creating jobs locally.
  • Project-Based Rental Assistance: $2 billion invested in full 12-month funding for Section 8 project-based housing contracts. This funding will enable owners to undertake much-needed project improvements to maintain the quality of this critical affordable housing.
  • Neighborhood Stabilization Program: $2 billion invested in mitigating the impact of foreclosures through the purchase and rehabilitation of foreclosed, vacant properties in order to create more affordable housing and renew neighborhoods devastated by the economic crisis.
  • Homelessness Prevention: $1.5 billion invested in preventing homelessness and enabling the rapid re-housing of homeless families and individuals, helping them reenter the labor market more quickly and preventing the further destabilization of neighborhoods.

Department of Energy

TRANSFORM THE WAY AMERICANS USE ENERGY

  • Energy efficient homes and businesses: Funding provided through the states for homeowners and businesses to take immediate steps toward energy efficiency – reducing heating and air conditioning bills and creating jobs.  ($5 billion)
  • Greening federal buildings: Provide funding to improve the efficiency of federal government offices and buildings, reducing energy bills and creating jobs ($4.5 billion)

 
BUILD A CLEAN, EFFICIENT ENERGY SUPPLY

  • Renewable energy projects: Accelerate the construction of solar, wind, geothermal and other renewable energy generation facilities through a combination of loans and grants, creating jobs immediately and providing the United States with a clean energy supply for the future. ($2.5 billion)
  • Smart Grid technology and transmission infrastructure: Build the transmission lines and grid technology infrastructure needed for a better, smarter grid to transport electricity – from the places renewable energy can be produced to the places it will be used. ($4.5 billion)
  •  Clean fossil energy technology: Develop innovative technologies for clean coal, petroleum coke and other plants of the future, allowing our nation to safely use our abundant coal and fossil energy resources. ($3.4 billion)
  • Next generation biofuels: Provide grants to accelerate the research and deployment of cellulosic biofuels technologies to provide a clean alternative to imported oil. ($800 million)

REINVIGORATE THE ECONOMY WITH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

  • Science and basic research in the energy technologies of the future: Investments in building and renovating laboratories and research facilities to create jobs immediately and enable the research that will sustain American industry and provide new energy and climate solutions. ($1.6 billion)
  • Battery research and advanced vehicle technologies: Loans and grants to support the development of advanced vehicle batteries and battery systems to reinvigorate the U.S. auto industry, reduce the U.S. dependence on foreign oil, and transform the way automobiles are powered. ($2 billion)
  • Advanced Research Project Agency-Energy (ARPA-E):  Jump start advanced energy technologies by funding high-risk, high-payoff research in collaboration with industry. ($400 million)

 SAFELY MANAGE AND CONTAIN NUCLEAR MATERIALS

  • Cleanup of nuclear legacy: Redouble the ongoing efforts to clean up radioactive waste from Cold War nuclear project sites, creating jobs and reclaiming lands for communities across the country. ($6 billion)

Department of Education

Direct Funding for Education — $77 Billion:

  • $40 billion in state stabilization funds to help avert education cuts. This will be given to states in exchange for a commitment to begin advancing education reforms. School systems have discretion to use some of this money for school modernization.
  • $13 billion for Title I, including $3 billion for Title I school improvement programs
  • $12 billion for IDEA
  • $5 billion in incentive grants to be distributed on a competitive basis to states that most aggressively pursue higher standards, quality assessments, robust data systems and teacher quality initiatives. This includes $650 million to fund school systems and non-profits with strong track records of improving student achievement
  • $5 billion for Early Childhood, including Head Start, early Head Start, child care block grants, and programs for infants with disabilities. (Includes HHS programs)
  • $2 billion for other education investments, including pay for performance, data systems, teacher quality investments, technology grants, vocational rehab, work study, and Impact Aid

College Affordability — $30.8 Billion:

  • $17 billion to close the shortfall in the Pell Grant program and boost grant amounts by $500 to $5350 in the first year and more in the second year, serving an estimated 7 million low and moderate-income young people and adults
  • $13.8 billion to boost the tuition tax credit from $1800 to $2500 for families earning up to $180,000

Additional School Modernization — (up to) $33.6 Billion:

  • An additional $8.8 billion in state stabilization funds are available for other state services including education. Modernization is an eligible use of this funding
  • Finally, the Act provides for states and school systems to issue $24.8 billion dollars in bonds for renovation, repairs and school construction that will be retired through a combination of local, state and federal dollars

Corporation for National and Community Service 

$201 million in funding for the Corporation for National and Community Service

  • Expansion of AmeriCorps State and National and AmeriCorps VISTA programs

Agency for International Development
Implementation details on the progress of USAID programs that are impacted by the Recovery Act are not yet posted.

Department of Defense
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 includes approximately $7.4 billion in Defense-related appropriations.

  • $4.2 billion in Operation and Maintenance accounts to upgrade Department of Defense facilities, including energy-related improvements
  • $1.3 billion in military construction for hospitals
  • $240 million in military construction for child development centers
  • $100 million in military construction for warrior transition complexes
  • $600 million for other military constructions projects such as housing for the troops and their families
  • $300 million to develop energy-efficient technologies
  • $120 million for the Energy Conservation Investment Program (ECIP)
  • $555 million for a temporary expansion of the Homeowner’s Assistance Program (HAP) benefits for private home sale losses of both Department of Defense military and civilian personnel
  • $15 million for Department of Defense Inspector General oversight and audit of Recovery Act execution

Department of Justice

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (H.R.1) includes $4 billion in Department of Justice grant funding to enhance state, local, and tribal law enforcement efforts, including the hiring of new police officers, to combat violence against women, and to fight internet crimes against children.
  • $2.7 billion to the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), which provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administering justice, and assisting victims (more information online at: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/recoveryact.html).
    • $2 billion for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program .
    • $225 million in Edward Byrne Competitive Grant Program.
    • $225 million for assistance to tribal law enforcement.
    • $125 million for rural law enforcement to prevent and combat drug-related crime.
    • $30 million for law enforcement along the Southern Border and in High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas.
    • $50 million for Internet Crimes Against Children initiatives.
    • $100 million for victim compensation and assistance.
  • $1 billion under the COPS Hiring Recovery Program (CHRP) in grant funding for the hiring and rehiring of additional career law enforcement officers.  More information online at: http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/Default.asp?Item=2108.
  • $225 million will be used by the Office on Violence Against Women  (more information online at: http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/recovery.htm):
    • $175 million to support the work of states, tribal governments, state domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions, and tribal domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions.
    • $50 million in grants focusing on a holistic, victim-centered approach to transitional housing services and related support services that move individuals into permanent housing.
  • $10 million will go toward the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Project Gunrunner for the Southwest Border Initiative.  More information online at: http://www.atf.gov/recovery/project-gunrunner.htm

Department of Treasury

  • Economic Recovery Payments: Treasury's Financial Management Service, in coordination with the Social Security Administration, the Railroad Retirement Board, and the Department of Veterans Affairs are responsible for issuing over 64 million Economic Recovery payments to beneficiaries, an economic impact of more than $16 billion.  Treasury will issue these one-time payments of $250 beginning in May and ending in late June
  • Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund:  $100 million to recipients of the CDFI and Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) Programs
  • New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC):  $1.5 billion in tax credits to 2008 NMTC Program awardees by April 15, and an additional $1.5 billion in tax credits to 2009 NMTC Program awardees by October 15, 2009
  • Tax Relief Programs:  The Internal Revenue Service is responsible for implementing about 30 tax changes that will provide relief to the American taxpayer and spur job growth.  The following are key tax provisions that will be receiving immediate attention
    • Making Work Pay Credit -- Taxpayers can receive this benefit through a reduction in the amount of income tax that is withheld from their paychecks, or through claiming the credit on their tax returns
    • Expanded Tax Break for 2009 First-time Homebuyers -- Taxpayers who qualify for the first-time homebuyer credit and purchase a home this year before December 1 have a special option available for claiming the tax credit either on their 2008 tax returns due April 15 or on their 2009 tax returns next year.  The maximum credit is $8,000
    • COBRA Health Insurance Continuation Premium Subsidy Eligible former employees, enrolled in their employer’s health plan at the time they lost their jobs are required to pay only 35 percent of the cost of COBRA coverage.  Employers must treat the 35 percent payment by eligible former employees as full payment, but the employers are entitled to a credit for the other 65 percent of the COBRA cost on their payroll tax return
    • Build America Bonds -- Municipalities can elect to receive a direct interest payment subsidy from the Treasury on their bond issuances, in lieu of issuing bonds with the traditional interest tax exemption for bondholders.  State and local governments would issue taxable bonds, and the Treasury would pay the State or local governments a subsidy of 35 percent of the interest they owe on each interest payment date

General Services Administration

  • $5.55 billion for building projects
  • $300 million for fuel-efficient vehicles
  • $300 million to renovate and construct land ports of entry
  • $4.5 billion to convert federal buildings to high-performance green buildings