“This recovery plan is designed to give a shot in the arm to the nation’s economy and will help the South Shore and the Cape and Islands by making historic investments in vital programs that have largely gone underfunded in recent years,” said Delahunt. “We cannot work our way out of this economic crisis overnight but a focus on domestic production will create jobs and provide a sound footing for a broad based recovery that will benefit all Americans.”
The legislation contains $275 billion in personal and business tax breaks, and $550 billion in appropriations and direct spending. The largest element of the package, accounting for $145.3 billion in reduced federal revenue, provides a refundable tax credit in 2009 and 2010 of up to $500 for an individual and up to $1000 for families that would offset a portion of federal payroll taxes paid for Social Security and Medicare.
The bill would also make temporary changes in the federal-state Medicaid program to allow states to expand coverage and receive higher federal payments, at a cost of $96 billion, and it appropriates $20 billion in additional funds for the food stamp program.
In Massachusetts, this legislation will provide $1.3 billion in support for the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund to relieve the strain on the state’s resources that have forced recent reports of widespread budget cuts. It also makes a significant investment to the State’s infrastructure by providing over $1 billion for improvements with $506 million included for bridge and highway projects.
With recent media reports of school closings, Delahunt also noted the historic investment that the recovery package places in education for in Massachusetts. It would invest over $2 billion in Massachusetts to strengthen our schools, colleges, and libraries at every educational level. Some of the highlights include:
* An increase of $208 million for Title I education funding.
* An increase of $312 million for Funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) program.
* $381 million for the State for Education Modernization, Renovation and Repair.
Delahunt has also been hosting an ongoing series of meetings throughout the district on the status of the stimulus package. The purpose is to discuss overall funding allocations and how towns and other organizations can apply for funding. Delahunt will be hosting the next meeting tomorrow on Martha’s Vineyard.
Specifically for Massachusetts the recovery package would also provide:
* $197 million for the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund, which provides funding waste water and sewer construction programs.
* An additional $40 million for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) which provides discounted home heating oil to low income residents.
* $10 million for Head Start programs in Massachusetts which provide comprehensive education services to low income children from 3 to 5.
* $12.4 million for the community services block grant which helps community service organizations fund their programming.
* $24 million for Workforce Investment Act dislocated workers to provide job retraining.
* $10 million for the state employment services grant to help those who have been laid off find a new job.
* $5.2 million for the food stamp program which that provides food to low and no income people living in the United States.
* $363 million for Pell Grants for Massachusetts students to help offset the cost of college.
* $62.3 million for Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program funding allows states and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime and to improve the criminal justice system.
* $8 million for Preventive Health and Human Services Grants (PHHS) which will give Massachusetts the flexibility to prioritize the use of funds to fill funding gaps in programs that deal with leading causes of death and disability, as well as the ability to respond rapidly to emerging health issues including outbreaks of food borne infections and water borne diseases.
* $23.9 million for Child Care and Development Block Grants (CCDBG) which helps low-income families, families receiving public assistance and those families transitioning from public assistance in obtaining child care.
Estimates were provided to Delahunt's office by The House Appropriations Committee.
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