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Here are a few highlights from the current form of the
"American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009":
- $145 billion in tax cuts for the American worker,
comprised of a tax cut of $500 per person ($1,000 for
a couple) and would phase out for people making over
$75,000 a year ($150,000 for couples). (See other article
in this issue for details)
- $43 billion for increased unemployment benefits, as
well as $39 billion for increased health benefits for
this group.
- $20 billion to increase food stamp benefits for eligible
Americans
- $1.5 billion for improvements at community health
centers and $4 billion for preventative care programs.
$20 billion is directed at moving health care records
into electronic formats, with the goal of cutting down
on future costs.
- $87 billion for states to assist with Medicaid costs.
- $41 billion for education, including improvements
to school facilities, teacher training, etc., as well
as $6 billion for college building improvements. For
students, the bill will provide an additional $15 billion
to increase the maximum available Pell grant by $500
in the 2009/2010 school year, as well as increases to
the annual unsubsidized Stafford Loan limits. College
students will also be eligible for an additional $14
billion in tax credits (up to $2,500 per student).
- States will receive $79 billion to assist with education
costs.
- $16 billion in energy retrofits and improvements for
public housing and $30 billion for highway and bridge
construction projects. An additional $10 billion is
allocated to mass transit, including new routes and
trains, buses, etc, while $3 billion is set aside to
expand airports. Another $1.15 billion is directed to
improving land and sea ports.
- $4 billion for additional police and equipment and
$500 million for airport screening detectors.
- $6 billion for areas to replace sewage lines.
- $4 billion to purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed
homes.
- $31 billion to modernize public buildings and $6 billion
for broadband Internet access in rural areas.
- $3.1 billion for improvements on public lands and
$400 million for flood control efforts, including required
land purchases.
- $32 billion for improvements to the country's utility
grid and renewable energy production, as well as $10
billion for scientific research facilities.
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