[Vision2020] LEGISLATIVE SPECIAL--STIMULUS PACKAGE IMPACT ON IDAHO

[ttrail at moscow.com]

                           LEGISLATIVE SPECIAL--STIMULUS PACKAGE IMPACT 
ON IDAHO

Constituents  --  I received a number of inquiries about the impact of 
the Economic Stimulus Package on Idaho.  Idaho's share initially got $1.2 
billion mostly for education, transportation, Medicaid and other programs 
that filter down to schools and communities.   Idaho's share may top $2.5 
billion when the  counting stops.   We probably will not know the full 
extent until well into 2010.   I should point out that Idaho receives 
about $1.6 billion annually and has for years received funding from the 
federal government.   I will now try and give you a general idea of how 
the money will be spent.

  1.  Public Education--$260 million--Of this $166 million will help pay 
school bills through 2011.  About $85 million will keep from having to 
cut public education this year.  In 2010, JFAC wants to put $60 million 
into school budgets to help ease teacher pay cuts.   About $24 million 
will boost learning for low income students.    Special education will 
received about $55 million.   The Feds in 1972 promised to pay 40% of 
special education funding but only came through with about 15% 
annually.   Idaho will also receive $13.5 million with grants improving 
learning technology.

  2.  Senior Meals/Job Training  --  About $485,000 will expand meals for 
homebound people and through feeding sites such as senior job citizen 
centers. 

  3.  Housing  --  The state will receive $15 million.  New low cost 
units for low income people will receive $8.8 million.   About $4.4 
million is targeted to reduce the homeless population through rental 
subsidies and moving assistance.

  4.  Unemployment  --  Idaho's unemployment rate is about 7 percent or 
about 51,000 citizens out of work.  About $160 million will be coming in 
over a two year period.  $40 million will add $25 weekly to unemployment 
checks.  $75 million will lengthen the time to collect unemployment 
benefits, and $33 million provides alternative ways to qualify for 
benefits.

  5.  Energy Saving Buildings  --  $28 million--of which $16-$19 million 
will go to energy efficient schools.  The remainder will go to provide 
solar power to selected schools.

  6.  Idaho Arts  --  Idaho Arts will receive $294,000.   The money will 
be used to help professional arts organizations around the states that 
have suffered losses.

  7.  Health and Welfare  --  A total of $408 million comes to the 
state.  Of this $255 million will pay medical bills for low income people 
(Medicaid).   The food stamp program will receive $64 million.   About 
125,000 Idahoans now qualify for food stamps.  Some $31 million will be 
used to boost energy efficient homes for low income housing.

   8  Roads, Sidewalks, and Bridges  --  $182 million.  A total of almost 
$150 million will complete the major interstate project in the Treasure 
Valley and the Dover Bridge in N. Idaho.  Local roads and sidewalks will 
receive $28 million.

  9.  Healthy Forests are targeted for $8.8 million.   The funds will be 
used for fire prevention and to improve roads and trailheads.

  10.  Governor's Discretionary Money  --  $45 million--Governor Otter 
will used $5 million for drinking water improvements, $10 million for 
waste water projects, and $29 million for transportation projects.
 
  11.  Environment  --  This category will receive $61 million.  Of this 
$20 million will be used to clean up the Bunker Hill mining site.  $20 
million will be directed toward improving water projects, and $19 million 
to improve water systems.

There are also some other impacts of stimulus money that is on the way:

  1.  Federal Tax Cuts--$209 million willl go as a credit to working 
families.  A tax credit will return $400 a year for workers earning up to 
$95,000 and $800 forcouples earning up to $190,000.  It is estimated this 
will benefit over 500,000 Idahoans.

       College Assistance--Some $50 million is directed to this program.  
A college tuition tax credit of up to $2,500 has been expanded to include 
for low income students.   This may benefit some 20,000 Idahoans.

  2.  State Tax Breaks--Help with new car purchases is estimated at $1.6 
million.   This allows one to deduct the sales and excise tax on new 
vehicle purchases up to $49,500.

  3.  Tax break for businesses--An estimated $5 million to help recover 
new costs of new equipment purchased in 2009.

   I suspect this is far more than you wanted to know, but at least it 
will give you a short hand version of what the Economic Stimulus Package 
means to the State.

Rep. Tom  Trail


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