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 February 13, 2009 UPDATE: Vermont And The Economic Recovery Package –
Leahy: Economic Recovery PlanWill Create And Sustain Jobs In VermontAnd Relieve The State’s Budget Deficit
WASHINGTON (FRIDAY, Feb. 13) – The U.S. Senate late Friday is expected to join theU.S. House of Representatives in passing and sending to President Obama’s desk aneconomic recovery package that includes investments throughout Vermont’s economy.Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) released an updated analysis of Vermont’s stake in the finalversion of the bill.Leahy said the plan addresses Vermont’s economic and budget needs that have worsenedas the economic crisis spreads. “Vermont had a seat at the table in writing this bill,” hesaid. “This plan is a good match for Vermont’s job needs today, and it will help pave theway for the jobs of the future. It includes tax reductions for working families and forbusinesses, it will improve our economic infrastructure, and it will relieve Vermont’sstate budget deficit.”The total economic recovery package is $789 billion, and it would create or sustain anestimated 3 million or more jobs nationwide. Vermont is expected to receive more than$600 million in direct federal funding under this package, with additional funds comingto Vermont through competitive grant programs and through tax reductions forindividuals and businesses.The infrastructure and investment sections of the bill were written in the Senate by theSenate Appropriations Committee, where Leahy is the third-most-senior member. Thebill closely tracks Leahy’s priorities for Vermont, including:
 
SCHOOL DISTRICTS: Vermont schools stand to gain nearly $60 million in educationfunding through the No Child Left Behind Act and special education programs.
 
 
STATE EDUCATION AND BUDGET RELIEF: The final bill includes $53.6 billion forstate fiscal stabilization efforts nationwide, including $39.5 billion to local school districts.For Vermont, the bill would provide the Governor and Legislature with more than $100million to prevent cuts in vital education, public safety, and other governmental program.
 
TRANSPORTATION: Vermont would receive more than $130 million for highway, bridgeand transit needs.
 
 
MEDICAID SHORTFALLS: For Vermont’s Medicaid shortfalls, Vermont would receive anestimated $250 million over two years.
 
NUTRITION: Vermont would see approximately $34 million increase in food stamp benefitsand at least $600,000 in Food Stamp administration funds to ensure that recipients areadequately served.
 
 
AGRICULTURE: More than $190 million nationally in direct farm operating loans to ensureaccess to credit for Vermont farmers.
 
 
ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY: Vermont would receive nearly $39 million for clean waterand safe drinking water programs and more than $17 million for weatherization programs.
 
 
CREATING THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE: A key Leahy priority, the broadband provisionsinclude $7.2 billion for expanding broadband access and $11 billion for Smart Grid electriclines that could fund a ground-breaking initiative in Vermont.
 
ANTI-CRIME & LAW ENFORCEMENT: As chairman of the Judiciary Committee Leahyled in putting together the bill’s provisions that would bring nearly $11.6 million toVermont’s law enforcement community.
 
 
HOUSING: More than $11 billion nationally for housing programs that could bring millionsof dollars to Vermont for affordable housing, homeless prevention and Section 8 rentalassistance.
 
Broadband
Vermont still faces a deep digital divide in broadband deployment, particularly in ruralareas, due in large part to the failure of broadband providers to offer services to ruralareas and to the lack of a strategic, national plan to make broadband access a universalservice. Though the federal government has begun making investments in broadbandexpansion, economic opportunities in rural areas could be substantially expanded byaccelerating these broadband access programs. The bill provides a $7.2 billioninvestment in new broadband activities.
Transportation
Vermont’s transportation infrastructure is aging and needs repair and in some casesreplacement. The bill would provide Vermont with a major boost in transportationfunding – $125.8 million for highways and bridges and $5.6 million for transit – for stateand local officials to make much needed improvements to our highways, bridges, raillines, transit systems, and airports. Specifically, the bill includes $27.5 billion forformula highway investments; $6.9 billion for formula investments in publictransportation; $1.5 billion for competitive grants to state and local governments for
 
surface transportation investments; $9.3 billion for investments in rail transportation,including Amtrak; and $1.3 billion for investments in air transportation.
Health & Nutrition
As the economic crisis deepens, families are struggling to meet the staggering increasesin health care costs. One of the largest drains on state budgets across the country isfunding Medicaid. This bill will make it easier for Vermont to maintain and strengthenthe state’s Medicaid program through a temporary, across-the-board increase of theFederal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP). The package includes approximately$250 million in assistance to Vermont's Medicaid program, over two years.Long-term cost cutting measures, such as the use of electronic medical records, can helpstimulate the health care economy and create much needed jobs. Vermont has been aleader in advancing health information technology, and the $19 billion in grants andincentive payments included in this bill will help the State implement those plans.With the dramatic rise in both food prices and unemployment, the current economicsituation severely affects the food security of Vermont families. With more than 10percent of all households in Vermont considered 'hunger insecure,' the bill’s nutritionfunding would provide an effective and immediate economic boost, while helpingfamilies put food on the table. This bill strengthens the national nutrition safety net andtarget nutrition assistance to families and communities struggling to make ends meet.To address current hunger needs in Vermont, Senator Leahy pushed for an increase infunding for the Food Stamp program (
now officially called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
). The bill provides $19.9 billion for Food Stamp benefits,equaling a 13.6 percent increase in benefits for households. Also included in the Senatepackage is $500 million for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, whichwill prevent more than 625,000 low-income women, infants, and children from losingtheir WIC benefits. Among Senator Leahy's other suggestions, the Senate stimulus billalso contains $150 million funding for Food Banks and Pantries nationwide, potentiallybringing $272,000 in funding to Vermont.
Environment & Energy
As Senator Leahy requested, the bill promotes sustainable energy technologies and createmore ‘green jobs’ in Vermont for today and for tomorrow. It provides more than $40billion to the Department of Energy for the development of clean, efficient Americanenergy. Vermont would also benefit from the inclusion of $11 billion for electric gridmodernization, $3.8 billion in loans and grants for much needed water and waste disposalfacilities, and $6 billion for local clean drinking water infrastructure improvements. Thebill also includes $1.2 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency’s nationwideenvironmental cleanup programs, including Superfund. Specifically, Vermont would
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