Stimulus Bill a Go-Go

The Stimulus Bill is an 800 page document that is available in five sections here. The text of the bill was not widely available until the President signed it this week. How about a 'forest through the trees' view?
- There are two sections of the bill: tax provisions and federal spending.
- The total price tag is $789 billion.
- Of the $789 billion, $463 billion will be spent on transportation and infrastructure upgrades and construction, health care programs, education assistance, housing assistance and energy efficiency upgrades.
- The other $326 billion takes the form of personal and business tax breaks and tax provisions affecting payments to states.
- Some of the federal spending will be distributed via competitive grants and some will be distributed via formula.
- States and localities don't yet know when they'll see funding, but are they are VERY ANXIOUS TO KNOW.

The bill is broad and specific at the same time: it funds wide swaths of our economy, but in most cases, it funds these parts of our economy in a very particular way. Let me give you an example:
Every year, Congress funds One Stop Centers. One Stop Centers train workers for new jobs or re-train workers who change careers. One Stop Centers have an appropriation line-item within the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA.)

In the Stimulus Bill, One Stop Centers are 'super' funded. They can apply for extra money ($750 million available nationwide.) But they can't spend it willy nilly. They must use these competitive job training grants to train workers for "high growth and emerging industry sectors." (ETA will probably provide guidance in the grant announcement as to what qualifies as 'high growth and emerging industry.' ) Of the total, $500 million will be used for jobs relating to energy efficiency and renewal. One Stop Centers on top of their game (ones who work closely with the local business community and who have a record of producing results) will apply for this funding and make a difference in their community.

One Stop Centers are one of MANY, MANY funding accounts in the Stimulus Bill. Too many (certainly) to include in one blog entry.

The Stimulus Bill is a reminder of why you should have a political consultant. Many, many organizations and segments of our economy are going to benefit from the stimulus bill, by design.

What questions do you have about the Stimulus Bill? E-mail us at artofpolitics at mac dot com.