WASHINGTON — The National Conference of State Legislatures said Tuesday that, with states facing a combined $83 billion shortfall in their fiscal 2010 budgets, the economic stimulus package would provide welcome relief.
“The states obviously have an interest in obtaining assistance from the federal government,” NCSL Deputy Executive Director Carl Tubesing said. “They can’t deficit spend. The decisions they make to close their budget gaps actually have an effect on the economy.”
Tennessee is expected to get about $3.8 billion from the $819 billion economic stimulus package that passed the House last week, while Georgia could get $5.6 billion.
The Senate bill, currently being debated on the floor, is even larger, at $884 billion. The Senate spent Tuesday voting on various amendments to the bill and is expected to vote on the full package by the end of the week.
The bill, a priority of President Barack Obama’s, includes spending on highway and school construction, renewable energy programs, Medicaid relief for states, extension of unemployment benefits and other programs.
For complete details, see tomorrow’s Times Free Press.
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