MADISON—Governor Jim Doyle said today that many Wisconsin citizens will feel a direct impact from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It is estimated that Wisconsin will be able to create or save 70,000 jobs, provide Pell Grants to 91,500 students and tax credits to 2.2 million hardworking families under the new law.
“Whether it is through infrastructure projects, grants, tax breaks or extended benefits, college students, K-12 students, hard working Wisconsin families and workers who have lost their jobs will benefit from the recovery and reinvestment package,” Governor Doyle said. “The recovery and reinvestment funds also mean that we can maintain state budget priorities and we do not have to make deeper cuts to education and medical care in the biennial state budget bill.”
The Wisconsin Office of Recovery and Reinvestment estimates that the State of Wisconsin will receive over $3.7 billion in federal recovery and reinvestment funds. The amount does not include direct aid to individuals, tax breaks from the tax relief package or federal competitive grants.
Last month Governor Doyle created the Office of Recovery and Reinvestment where he assigned experts from across state agencies to work to fully understand the new federal recovery and reinvestment package and how best to access funds. The office will provide information on the state efforts under the new recovery and reinvestment plan, serve as a clearinghouse and be a resource to help determine if local projects and programs meet federal requirements. The Office of Recovery and Reinvestment will also coordinate the historic levels of accountability and transparency requirements in the new law.
Next week the office will have information available on its website to describe the different state programs funded by the recovery and reinvestment package, who is eligible, how funds will be processed and who to contact.
A chart with information on how much the State of Wisconsin will receive by federal program is attached and posted on the office website at www.recovery.wisconsin.gov.
