Politics

100 Days of American Recovery and Reinvestment

By Karina

Today marks the 100th day since President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law. President Obama released a report entitled 100 Days, 100 Projects saying, “one hundred days ago, in the midst of the worst economic crisis in half a century, we passed the most sweeping economic recovery act in history ? a plan designed to save jobs, create new ones, and put money in people?s pockets. Now, one hundred days later, we are meeting our economic challenges head-on and beginning to see early signs of progress across the country.” The report highlights the positive impact the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has had on communities across the country - from a green infrastructure project in Kansas to supporting a community health center in Arizona.

Speaker Pelosi:

With unprecedented speed, Congress and President Obama worked together to enact the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which is already creating and saving jobs, cutting taxes for working families, and making essential investments in technology and infrastructure to build the foundation of our economic recovery.

The Recovery Act has already created or saved more than 150,000 jobs, provided 95 percent of American working families with the Making Work Pay tax credit, and provided economic recovery payments to 54 million seniors. We are making these new investments with unprecedented accountability and transparency.

The Recovery Act is only the beginning of Congress?s and the President?s efforts to transform our economy and create new jobs, but it is a strong start. We look forward to continuing to work with President Obama as we build on the progress of the Recovery Act, tackle health care reform and clean energy legislation, and ensure prosperity for years to come.

Learn about some of the Recovery projects in the news today:

Daily Journal of Commerce (Oregon) ? Eugene transit project receives stimulus funds

A project to connect the existing EmX green line service between downtown Eugene and downtown Spingfield has received $2.9 million in federal stimulus funds.

Gov. Ted Kulongoski, Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Peter DeFazio gathered at the Lane Transit District on Tuesday to speak about the project, which is expected to employ 400 people during its two years of construction?

KVVU Channel 5 ? Stimulus Money Funding ?Green Jobs? Contracts

Nevada officials have begun awarding contracts for “green jobs” training projects that will be funded by federal money?

Richmond Times Dispatch (Virginia) ? Stimulus money for education reaches Va.

Virginia now has access to $806 million in education stimulus funding to help local school systems make up for budget cuts and save teaching jobs.

Yesterday’s release of the first portion of state stabilization money comes less than two weeks after Virginia submitted an application for its cut.

“The impact of these funds will be felt this summer and fall as teachers and other vital employees — who otherwise would have lost their jobs — return to schools across Virginia to serve the commonwealth’s children,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia I. Wright?

Santa Maria Times (California) ? Federal stimulus dollars making way to SM

Millions of dollars from President Obama?s stimulus package have found their way to Santa Maria, and more could be on the way.

Besides a whopping $40 million to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers targeted for Santa Maria River Levee repairs, $4.1 million has been secured, $2.4 million has been allocated but uses haven?t been identified, and the city intends to seek at least another $2.5 million to as much as $59 million?

Vermont Business Magazine ? Vermont to get $30 million in stimulus funds for economic development

US Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt) says Vermont will receive $30 million under an innovative and proven economic development program ? New Market Tax Credits (NMTC) ? to spur economic growth and affordable housing in the state. The funds, included in the recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), will be formally announced by Secretary Timothy Geithner at noon today?

Full post as published by The Gavel on May 27, 2009 (boomark / email).