4-15-2009 Michigan:
Recovery funds will bolster education, job training and more
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has signed legislation authorizing Michigan to spend nearly $2 billion in federal Recovery Act funding to strengthen the state's efforts to help citizens during this time of economic challenge. The legislation provides funding for a variety of education, job-training, environmental protection, and public safety programs that will create jobs across Michigan.
"As the national recession continues, the Recovery Act funding will help to create jobs and protect citizens throughout the state by providing essential services," Granholm said. "We will move quickly to get these dollars into communities and accelerate our own recovery plan for Michigan."
The supplemental appropriation signed today includes:
- $900 million for public education in Michigan, including services to at-risk students, students with disabilities, and homeless students;
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- $248 million for sewer and drinking water infrastructure improvements and other environmental protection programs;
- $235 million for worker training across Michigan, including additional funding for the state's No Worker Left Behind program;
- $190 million for community-based service programs and food assistance to help citizens who are being directly impacted by the struggling economy;
- $244 million for weatherization programs to create jobs while helping citizens save money through energy efficiency improvements to their homes; and
- $48 million for public safety programs, including efforts to protect children from internet predators and provide services to crime victims.
"The funding provided through this legislation will help citizens across Michigan," said Granholm. "Whether it's putting workers back on the job improving our infrastructure, providing training opportunities to laid-off workers, or getting food assistance to families in need, all of these dollars will strengthen our communities and our economy."
The bill signed by the governor is House Bill 4258 (PA 7 of 2009) sponsored by State Representative George Cushingberry (D-Detroit). On March 31, Granholm signed legislation authorizing Michigan to spend $873 million in Recovery Act funds for a range of "shovel-ready" projects such as road-resurfacing, rehabilitation and widening, and bridge rehabilitation that will create approximately 25,000 jobs. ..News Source.. by Michigan.gov
April 15, 2009
MI- Granholm Signs Legislation Authorizing Nearly $2 Billion to Create Jobs, Protect Citizens
IN- $1.5M of stimulus proposed for prisoner education, jobs
4-15-2009 Indiana:
Indianapolis would spend more than $1.5 million in economic stimulus funds on prisoner education and re-entry services under a proposal unveiled Monday.
The proposal -- part of the city's plan for using $6.4 million earmarked for law enforcement activities -- calls for hiring 200 ex-convicts in temporary jobs at the Indianapolis Department of Public Works.
"We have 5,000 people coming into our community every year" after their release from the Indiana Department of Correction, said David Wu, policy director for Mayor Greg Ballard. "If you don't work to keep them from re-offending, they are going to clog the criminal justice system."
The proposal also calls for spending about $1.3 million to upgrade the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's automated fingerprinting system, which Wu said will become obsolete by this fall.
"They had to replace it one way or another," Wu said.
The spending plan was introduced at Monday's City-County Council meeting. The council is expected to vote on the plan May 2.
President Barack Obama announced last month that Indiana would receive more than $35 million for law enforcement activities. The money can be used to hire officers and pay for initiatives such as drug and gang task forces, crime prevention and domestic violence programs.
Wu said Indianapolis' goal was to spread the money around the justice system. Another part of the proposal includes spending $575,000 to build two new juvenile reception centers like one operating on the Northeastside.
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The centers are diversion programs that keep young offenders accused of minor crimes, such as truancy or shoplifting, out of the juvenile courts, where treatment programs and housing become more costly.
Other spending includes $580,000 on a nurse and substance abuse services for Community Corrections inmates; $103,000 on training for the Indianapolis Fire Department's Task Force One; and $319,000 to hire a contractor to manage grant requests and facilitate awards. ..News Source.. by Vic Ryckaert
